NEWS RELEASE

Los Padres National Forest
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Madsen (805) 895-0841
Twitter: @LosPadresNF

Prescribed Burn Scheduled in Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA, CA, November 12, 2015…Los Padres National Forest officials announced today that fire crews plan to conduct a prescribed burn next week at the Abbott Lakes adjacent to the Arroyo Seco Administrative Area on the Monterey Ranger District. The 18-acre project area is approximately 25 miles west of King City.

The purpose of the burn is to use prescribed fire to consume the emergent vegetation of the lower Abbott Lake and increase its water storage capacity. This in turn would:

· Provide a reliable source of water for fire suppression activities in order to better protect Arroyo Seco Administrative Site facilities, the surrounding community of Fred’s Camp, and other residential and commercial structures from wildfires.
Reduce or prevent the amount of water needing to be drafted from the Arroyo Seco River during active wildfires because water drafting may exacerbate summertime stress in steelhead trout populations and other aquatic species.
Improve aquatic and wetland habitat of the lower lake by filling it in the late fall, winter and early spring months during high river flows so that the lake is as full as possible on a year-round basis.

If the fuel and weather conditions are safely within prescription, the project could begin as early as November 17. Smoke may be visible from several miles away and residual smoke could be present in the area for several days following the burn.

Forest visitors are advised to call the Arroyo Seco Station at (831) 674-2381 or the Monterey District Office at (831) 385-5434 to obtain current information during the burn operation.

#