Several Large Prescribed Burns Planned For This Weekend Near Lake Shasta

The National Forest Service will resume a couple of major prescribed burn projects in the Lake Shasta area starting Friday. Boaters are asked to avoid the Packers Bay Boat Ramp this weekend as the Backbone Ridge prescribed burn is conducted across 1,415 acres on the Sacramento River Arm of the lake Friday and Saturday.

A significant amount of smoke will also be seen on Sunday and Monday on the Pit River Arm across from Jones Valley if conditions allow for the resumption of the ongoing Green Mountain Project. Designed to reduce wildfire danger and improve habitat for species including Bald Eagles, Shasta Salamanders, Deer, Elk and Turkey, the project has been underway for about 20 years. Up to 3,700 acres might be torched, some of it by hand and some of it by helicopter. The smoke will be visible for many miles around.

The Forest Service is also planning a burn of 2,200 acres in the McCloud Flats two miles east of Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park.