BLM plans prescribed burning projects in Lacks Creek area near Arcata
Organization:
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
ARCATA, Calif. – With the arrival of cooler fall weather, Bureau of Land Management fire crews will begin burning projects designed to improve habitat at the Lacks Creek area northeast of Arcata. Projects could begin the week of Oct. 10 and will continue on days when weather conditions allow for safe and successful burning.
“These projects are important for improving and sustaining the health of public lands that provide habitat for wildlife and recreation opportunities,” said BLM Arcata Field Manager Molly Brown. “For safety reasons, we ask that people avoid the area when burning is underway.”
The Lacks Creek West Prairies Project will use broadcast burns to improve plant diversity and vigor on grasslands and oak woodlands. The project will be carried out at the Preston, Faulkner, Round and Fayetteville prairies, covering a total of 83 acres.
Broadcast burns are carefully planned and controlled low-intensity fires that burn near to the ground to remove unwanted shrubs small trees.
Crews will also burn piles of branches and brush that resulted from earlier fuels thinning projects. The work will reduce the wildfire danger.
The Lacks Creek Management area is about 20 miles northeast of Arcata. It offers trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding and areas for primitive camping. Directions are available online at https://www.blm.gov/visit/lacks-creek, or by contacting the BLM Arcata Field Office at 707-825-2300.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.