The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be conducting prescribed burns during the fall and winter on public lands managed by the Arcata field office in Humboldt and Mendocino counties.

The burns are designed to thin and restore oak woodlands, improving forest health and wildlife habitat, and to remove piles of limbs, grass and brush generated in various natural resource improvement projects.

Much of the work, including broadcast and pile burning, will occur in the Lacks Creek management area near Arcata. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation provided grant funds for the project that will benefit elk habitat on public lands.

Crews will also burn slash piles from the Mina commercial forest-thinning project in Mendocino County, and piles of invasive beach grass at the Mike Thompson wildlife area, South Spit, Humboldt Bay.

Each burn will be conducted under a strict prescription detailed in a prescribed burn plan. Burns will be ignited occur only when weather allows for safe and successful burning and when conditions are approved by the North Coast Air Quality management district.

For more information, contact the BLM Arcata field office at (707) 825-2300.