Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Calif. June 3, 2023 – Firefighters plan to begin ignitions on the 2023 Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn in the foothills of Sequoia National Park on Wednesday, June 7. Three to five days of ignitions are planned. This project consists of 35 acres of broadcast prescribed burning and an additional 4 acres of non-fire fuels reduction (using weed whips, chainsaws, etc.).  

The Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn is broken into 12 segments adjacent to developed areas in the foothills of Sequoia National Park. This prescribed burn takes place most years, and reduces highly flammable, fast-drying vegetation such as tall grasses near roads and infrastructure. This improves defensible space and reduces the risk of accidental ignitions in these busy areas during the hot summer season.  

Visitors to the parks may see active fire, smoke, firefighters, and firefighting equipment along the roadways during ignitions on the prescribed burns. Please drive carefully, do not stop your car in the road or close to active fire activities, and be mindful of signage and directions from employees.  

Smoke impacts are expected to be localized and relatively brief, as there is little heavy, woody fuel within the burn areas. Research shows that regular prescribed burns produce less smoke than wildfire in areas where fire has been excluded. Visitors can learn more about air quality and smoke by visiting www.airnow.gov or www.valleyair.org. 

The prescribed burn areas may remain closed for several days post-ignitions to ensure that fire-related hazards have been mitigated to a reasonable extent. The dates for the Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn are subject to change, due primarily to predicted weather. Additional updates will be issued throughout the project.