FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Miller (909) 382-2788

Bonita Vista Burn Project Planned for the Week of January 11

San Bernardino, Calif., January 7, 2010 – Forest Service Fire crews are planning to burn approximately 600 acres as part of the Bonita Vista project near Lake Hemet as early as January 11. Weather and conditions permitting, burning would take place throughout the week. This project is part of on-going hazardous fuels reduction projects within the forest.

The project area is located in the triangle of Highway 74, May Valley Road and Johnson Meadow near Keen Camp Summit and is another phase of the ongoing Bonita Vista project. Smoke and flames will be visible to residents and motorists along State Route 74 in Garner Valley as a result of this project; travelers should drive with caution.

Firefighters will be using a technique called “hand burning” using a variety of tools such as the drip torch, burning chaparral with a large component of chemise. Crews continually monitor conditions and adjust burning as long as weather conditions are favorable. “Doing this work under these calm weather conditions helps reduce the risk of a catastrophic wildfire posing a threat to mountain communities under harsher conditions,” stated San Bernardino National Forest Fire Chief Kurt Winchester.

This project, when complete, will reduce fuel to the east of Idyllwild and to the south of the Bonita Vista community. Pile burning and broadcast burning are part of fuels treatments that include mechanical removal of vegetation. Fuel reduction projects near mountain communities include removing dead trees as well as thinning and stacking piles of dense brush, and burning the piles in the wet season.

Incident Information for the Bonita Vista Project:
Recorded information 909-383-5688
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On the web - http://www.inciweb.org/
Local Idyllwild residents can tune to WNKI Radio at 1610am