Prescribed Burn Underway South of Three Rivers

Merritt Prescribed Burn Expected to Last All Day

CONTACT: Savanna Birchfield, Public Information Officer, 559.635.8206

CAL FIRE personnel are conducting a prescribed burn six miles northwest of the community of Springville. This is being done in an effort to lessen the severity of catastrophic fires if they take place, enhance wildlife habitat and improve the watershed. This burn will include 150 personnel and will be in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service, Porterville Fire Department, Tulare County Fire Department, and Farmersville Fire Department. The burn will include 800 acres of land being treated. Firefighters started the prescribed burn at approximately 9 a.m., and it will take roughly nine hours to complete it. CAL FIRE personnel will continue monitoring the site for several days after the burn is completed.

The burn is adversely affecting air quality in Three Rivers. To view the air quality in Three Rivers see Purple Air.

[SOURCE: CAL FIRE]