Prescribed Burns Happening Across Shasta-Trinity National Forest This Week
If you see smoke in parts of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest this week, it may be part of planned prescribed fire operations—intended to reduce overgrown vegetation and lower wildfire risk.
Forest officials say burning began Monday, December 15, 2025, and could continue through Friday, December 19, as weather and required approvals allow. The goal is to help protect nearby communities, infrastructure, and natural resources by removing excess fuels before peak fire season.
Planned burn areas include:
- McCloud Ranger District: Beartrap Rx near Cabin Creek Trailhead (10 acres of hand piles, 13 acres of deck piles)
- Mount Shasta Ranger District: South Fork–Castle Lake hand piles near Castle Lake (3 acres)
- Shasta Lake Ranger District: Interstate 5 (Skyline) Pile Rx at multiple sites between Packers Bay and Antlers Bridge (up to 300 acres)
- Weaverville Ranger District: Multiple small pile burns near Rush Creek Lakes, Big Bar, Weaverville Community Forest, Trinity Center, Lewiston Dam, Trinity Dam, and nearby areas
Some locations may temporarily close for public safety. Visitors should watch for posted warnings and follow any closures or restrictions near burn sites.
Residents in surrounding areas could also experience periodic smoke. Drivers are urged to slow down and use headlights if smoke reduces visibility on roads. For air quality updates, officials recommend checking AirNow online or through the AirNow app.
