The Mammoth and Mono Lake Ranger Districts of Inyo National Forest and the north zone for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Bishop Field Office are planning to implement several prescribed fire projects for habitat improvement and hazardous fuels reduction in the upcoming fall and winter months. Smoke may be visible at times from Highways 395, 158, 167, 120 and 203 as well as from the communities of  Mono City, Lee Vining, June Lake, Mammoth Lakes and Crowley Lake.

Prescribed fire projects are expected to begin in mid-October with understory burning at several locations, including east of U.S. 395 at Deadman Summit, south of Hwy 120 near Big Sand Flat, and in the vicinity of Pilot Spring. Following the first fall snow storms, slash pile burning will be conducted, and is expected to continue into December or possibly January. Pile burning is planned on national forest lands in the Mono City area, in the Down Canyon area of June Lake, west of 395 near Wilson Butte, east of Deadman Summit near the CalTrans Crestview Station, around the Crestview Rest Stop on 395, east near Lookout Mountain, north of Smokey Bear Flat, and along Hwy 203 east of Mammoth Lakes. Shrubland burning may occur in late winter to the west of Mono Craters Scenic Overlook.

Prescribed burn operations will be conducted when weather and fuel conditions are within prescription to safely accomplish the project objectives. For more information, contact Sue Farley, Interagency Vegetation Management Planner at 760.924.5535.