CAL FIRE’s Mendocino Unit will ignite a 400-acre prescribed burn along U.S. Highway 101 starting next month in a coordinated push to reduce wildfire risk and train firefighters, the agency announced in a May 12 press release.
The operation, a collaboration between CAL FIRE, Caltrans, and local fire agencies, will stretch from Nelson Ranch Road south of Ukiah to the top of Ridgewood Grade south of Willits. According to CAL FIRE, the burn will target grass within Caltrans’ right-of-way and aims to curb future roadside fires that threaten motorists and emergency responders.
Burning is scheduled to begin June 2 and continue through July 2, with activity Monday through Friday from about 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., weather permitting. CAL FIRE stated that traffic along the highway will be controlled during operations, and smoke will be visible throughout the project period.
Officials emphasized that the effort is part of California’s broader wildfire prevention strategy and supports goals outlined in the state’s Fire Plan and Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
“Reducing roadside fuels not only decreases the risk of large-scale fires, it also gives our firefighters real-time training in controlled conditions,” CAL FIRE noted.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepare for wildfire by visiting www.ReadyForWildfire.org. Project progress can be tracked via CAL FIRE’s fuels reduction dashboard.
