By U.S. Forest Service
Contributed
The Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is moving forward with prescribed fire operations as conditions and resources permit.
The San Bernardino National Forest (USFS) will move forward with prescribed burning if and when conditions are safe, according to Zach Behrens, public affairs officer for the San Bernardino National Forest.
Previously, the region had postponed prescribed fires to reduce potential smoke impacts to communities while public health officials considered the interactions of smoke with COVID-19 effects and to ensure our emergency response resources were putting into place proper procedures to mitigate COVID-19 risks.
“To date we have accomplished a lot of important fuels reduction projects this year with our partners to protect communities and reduce the risks of catastrophic wildland fires,” stated Regional Forester Randy Moore. “We will continue to prioritize the health and safety of communities and firefighters during this global and national emergency and will also conduct prescribed fire where feasible as an important tool to protect communities and natural resources as we prepare for the upcoming peak fire season.”
Prescribed fire is an important tool in the protection of communities and forests from large scale wildfire. Continuing our service to you while doing our part to address the COVID-19 pandemic is our priority.
The Forest Service manages 18 national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region, which encompasses over 20 million acres across California and assists state and private forest landowners in California, Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. National forests supply 50% of the water in California and form the watershed of most major aqueducts and more than 2,400 reservoirs throughout the state. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/R5.
