Many Three Rivers residents awoke this morning to what appeared to be unhealthy levels of smoke in addition to the pollution rising from the valley. Currently, the dense localized smoke-scented haze in the Case Mountain area is believed to be a left-over from the prescribed fire operations that were recently conducted by the BLM’s Bakersfield Field Office. Early next week the BLM plans to provide us with more information about what we can expect going forward.

Sequoia National Forest personnel, in coordination with the Sierra National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park, are conducting an extensive burn operation on the north side of Highway 180. On Thursday and Friday, the fire had an adverse effect on air quality in Sequoia National Park and had moderate impacts in some parts of Three Rivers. The ignitions are expected continue while weather and air quality conditions allow. Click the link above for more details and resources.