Firefighters to burn vegetation in 2 Oroville locations
OROVILLE » Cal Fire-Butte County plans to conduct a series of control burns Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27.
Forebay
In cooperation with the California Department of Water Resources and California State Parks, Cal Fire-Butte County will be conducting a series of prescribed burns around the Thermalito Forebay, Cal Fire-Butte County said in a press release.
There is a two-week window to complete the project, from May 23-June 5. This expanded window allows the fire agency to target the ideal weather to achieve its fuel management objective.
The 4-unit project was first burned last year, yielding positive results in invasive plant thatch reduction. In order to combat invasive species like yellow star thistle, it is important to burn the same area multiple years in a row, Cal Fire-Butte County said in a press release. The timing of the burns is critical and must be completed at the right stage in the star thistle’s growth cycle to create mortality and reduce seed spread. These fuel management project burns will also allow the Department of Water Resources to continue their post-fire study on vernal pool habitat.
“Not only is this project important for research,” said Battalion Chief Gus Boston in the release, “it also removes potentially dangerous fire fuel and gives our firefighters valuable training in conducting control burns.”
Unit 1 will burn approximately 20 acres near the North Forebay Aquatic Center. Unit 2 will burn approximately 40 acres west of the Nelson Sports Complex. Unit 3, near the South Forebay and Grand Avenue, will burn approximately 65 acres. Unit 4, off Wilbur Road and Tres Vias Road, will burn approximately 120 acres.
The project is being conducted in accordance with section 4423.2 of the Public Resources Code in which Cal Fire may issue restricted temporary burning permits whenever it can be shown that burning or use of open fire is essential for reasons of public health, safety, or welfare. Cal FireButte County resources will be present while the control burns are active.
Shooting range
On Friday, May 27, Cal Fire-Butte County in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Water Resources, will burn 30 acres of grassland at the Rabe Road Shooting Range south of the Oroville Airport.
This vegetation management project burn will clear the area around the shooting range of thick annual grass that could easily ignite if not removed. The project also offers valuable training for firefighters as they prepare for what could be a busy fire season.
“As we head into the heat and dryness of the summer, firefighters in Butte County will use this project to practice our skills in a controlled environment,” said Battalion Chief Jason Dyer in a press release.
The shooting range will be closed to the public all day on Friday.
Smoke from this control burn will be highly visible during the morning hours off Larkin Road near the Thermalito Afterbay.
Visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org for defensible space and home hardening tips, and Cal Fire-Butte County said in the release to be sure to use all outdoor powered equipment before 10 a.m.