Prescribed burn planned for Idyllwild area starting Monday

A burning operation will get underway in the Pine Cove area on Monday in an effort to reduce wildfire intensity, officials said Sunday.

The operation will run from Monday to Friday south of Stone Creek Campground, east of Highway 243 and north of Pine Cove, according to Cal Fire Riverside.

The operation is part of the Stone Creek Hazardous Fuel Reduction project, involving the controlled burning of woody debris piles. The project aims to enhance fire suppression, reduce wildfire intensity, slow down fire spread and ensure safe public evacuation during fire incidents through activities like thinning, cutting, pruning and piling woody material for burning, officials said.

Drift smoke may be visible from nearby communities but will disperse quickly and is not expected to be a health hazard. Burning operations typically begin after 7 a.m. and conclude by 5 p.m. the same day. This burning operation will only occur on permitted burn days as determined by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Anyone with information about the operation was urged to contact Riverside County Fire Department Public Affairs and Community Education Bureau at 951-940-6985.

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This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Prescribed burn planned for Idyllwild area starting Monday