Foresta Big Meadow Prescribed Fire August 26, 2009
Yosemite Fire Mangers are planning the Big Meadow prescribed (Rx) fire in the community of Foresta. The project will consist of burning a total of 91 acres. If weather conditions and air quality allow, the burn will be begin in the morning of August 26. It is expected this project will take one day to complete and another few days to fully mop up hot spots to insure the fire does not escape the defined fire perimeter. The objectives of the Rx project include community fire protection, meadow and forest restoration, and protection of cultural and natural resources.
The burning will begin on a designated “burn day” to provide optimum smoke dispersal. Smoke impacts will be monitored in and around the community of Foresta. Adequate resources will be allocated to this prescribed fire: fire engines, water tenders, and hand crews.
The Big Meadow Rx project is the first re-entry fire in the meadow since the A-Rock wildfire of 1990. Prior to European settlement, lightning and Native Americans provided ignition sources on a regular basis resulting in a short interval fire regime of low to moderate intensity fires. More frequent fires maintains surface fuels to low levels and reduces small trees and other vegetation in the understory of larger trees that could form fuel ladders to the crowns of larger trees. It is believed that under these conditions, ecosystems were better able to withstand high intensity, forest stand replacement fires, as the A-Rock wildfire. In addition to reducing the risk of catastrophic fire, frequent low intensity prescribed burning improves wildlife habitat by promoting the sprouting of forage vegetation.
For additional Information: Fire Information and Education: (209) 372-0480, Prescribed Fire Office: (209) 375-9576, Yosemite Website: www.nps.gov/yose/fire (G. Wuchner - 8/25/09)

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