National Fire Plan Success Story
Preparations Made for Future Prescribed Fires
Lava Beds National Monument, California
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
2007
Fire Management staff prepare line for a future prescribed fire at the monument.
During the summer of 2007 when the days were long and hot, Lava Beds National Monument fire management staff was able to prepare a large area of line construction for two future prescribed fire projects. Valentine Cave (2,142 acres) and Crescent Butte (207 acres) were both scheduled to be burned in October 2007, but due to foul weather and wildland fire activity in southern California, no autumn burning occurred in 2007.
Fortunately, Lava Beds National Monument's fire crew, Lassen National Park's 10-person fuels crew, and an interagency Forest Service engine crew from Modoc National Forest stationed at Lava Beds, successfully completed 7.5 miles of cutting and removing vegetation. A variety of tools was used for this operation, including weed eaters, chainsaws, and hand held pruning shears. Both projects have been rescheduled to be burned in October 2008.
Fire often draws attention to successful prescribed fire projects and wildland fire use fires in the parks and monuments; however without the tedious, sometimes multi-year preparation of holding lines and defensible barriers for these projects, nothing could be accomplished. Lava Beds National Monument will be looking for an opportunity to conduct these two prescribed fires as soon as the weather and all the right conditions are met.
Contact: Al Augustine, Fire Management Officer, phone: (530) 667-8122.