Looking across Lake Hemet toward the Thomas Mountain prescribed burn in april 2018

            The U.S. Forest Service announced that it is planning to proceed with its scheduled prescribed burn on Thomas Mountain in Garner Valley next week. The project’s goal is creation of community-scale defensible space and enhanced forest health.

            “On Monday, fire crews plan to conduct a test burn and, if all goes well, they will continue each day, but only when conditions are safe for doing so”, wrote Zachary Behrens, public affairs officer for the San Bernardino National Forest.

This photograph is off the Thomas Mountain prescribed burn in April 2018

            Originally about 1,100 acres were scheduled, but that has been slightly reduced, according to Behrens.

            “Only 30 to 70 percent will be treated in a mosaic pattern to create age diversity among the vegetation,” he added.

            “This year's project will take place on the northeast slope, which faces Garner Valley,” Behrens wrote “Due to the terrain and accessibility of this year’s burn unit, a low-flying helicopter may be used for ignitions in coordination with ground crews.”

            For more information, the Forest Service offers several options for the public to visit. Contact the San Jacinto Ranger District at 909-382-2922, the Prescribed Burn Hotline at 909-382-2711, or the Forest’s Twitter site at https://twitter.com/SanBernardinoNF