Forest Service Extinguishes Human Caused Fire at Rogers Camp

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SPRINGVILLE, California

On Monday, a report of a wildland fire near Rogers Camp was responded to by Tulare County Fire Department and Sequoia National Forest personnel. A private citizen had lit several hand piles on fire and left them to burn on their own. The hand piles left burning were on public lands managed by the Forest Service, Western Divide Ranger District.

Fire crews were able to put out the piles, and the tenth of an acre ground fire that was burning between them. The "Coy Flat Fire" could have threatened the community of Mountaineer if left to burn unchecked. These hand piles were not constructed by the Forest Service, nor are there any plans to prescribed burn in the Rogers Camp area this year.

The Forest Service did conduct some prescribed burning last week when air quality and weather conditions were favorable. Burning of hand piles occurred in the areas of White River (hand piles and understory burning between Portuguese Pass and Sugarloaf) and Slick Rock (near Mountain Home.) However, more burning is needed in these areas as well as along the North Road (300 hand piles left from removal of dead trees along the road) and Osborne Ranch (20 acres of hand piles.)

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as CAL FIRE has lifted the burn suspension for the State Responsibility Areas within Tulare County above 3,000 feet elevation. Hazard reduction burning above 3,000 feet will be allowed after a burn permit is obtained and air quality requirements are met. You may obtain a burn permit from your local CAL FIRE station or the Forest Service by calling CAL FIRE (559)732-5954 or the Forest Service (559)539-2607 ext. 238 for details. To obtain the air quality burn day/no burn day status call 1-800-665-2876.

In cooperation with CAL FIRE, the Forest Service has been granted authority by the state to issue burn permits for only the following areas: Camp Nelson, Johnsondale, Ponderosa, Coy Flat, Quaking Aspen, Pierpoint, Rogers Camp, Sugarloaf, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, Camp Wishon, Doyle Springs, Cedar Slope and Sequoia Crest. All other areas in Tulare County must obtain a burn permit from CAL FIRE.

The Coy Flat Fire was caused by a person's illegal actions. If you see a fire at any time during the year you think is suspicious, threatening, or left unattended contact the nearest Fire Department by calling 911. In response to this week's Coy Flat Fire, anyone with information that could lead us to the person who started this fire should contact the Forest Service by calling (559)539-2607 ext. 224.


Author:US Forest Service Press Release