Shasta-Trinity National Forest Launches Week of Prescribed Fires
The Shasta-Trinity National Forest will conduct several prescribed burns next week to reduce hazardous fuels and lower the risk of severe wildfires around North State communities.
Beginning Monday, December 1, 2025, and continuing through Friday, December 5 as conditions allow, crews will burn hand piles and machine piles in several districts across the forest:
- McCloud Ranger District: Beartrap Hand Pile Rx near the Cabin Creek trailhead (about 200 acres)
- Shasta Lake Ranger District: Skyline Pile Rx at multiple sites along Interstate 5 between Packers Bay and Antlers Bridge (about 250 acres)
- Weaverville Ranger District: Pettijohn (Vista) Pile Rx near Trinity Lake (about 117 acres)
- Yolla Bolla Ranger District: Red Mountain Pile Rx south of State Route 36 (about 300 acres)
Some areas may be temporarily closed to the public for safety while operations are underway. Drivers should watch for signs and crews along roads near the burn sites.
Residents in nearby communities should expect periods of smoke, especially in the mornings and evenings. For current smoke and air quality information, officials recommend checking fire.airnow.gov or using the Fire and Smoke Map app. If you encounter smoke while driving, slow down, turn on headlights, and use caution.
All burns are dependent on weather and air quality. Fire managers will recheck conditions just before ignition, and may cancel or postpone work if conditions are not within prescription.
The Forest Service will share updates on its website, social media channels, and InciWeb, and will notify county emergency managers when burning begins.
