Expect Smoky Skies Over Bear Mountain

Angels Camp, CA – Motorists along Highway 49 and communities surrounding New Melones may see smoke in the skies next week due to a prescribed burn.

CAL FIRE will be igniting 500 acres on the Bear Mountain Shaded Fuel Break and Whittle Vegetation Management Plan burn site in Calaveras County. It is west of Angels Camp around the Fowler Peak Lookout. The goal is to cut down on vegetation around infrastructure on the mountain top and to allow CAL Fire and local fire departments to continue training personnel on the site.

The burn will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 30th) and is slated to wrap up on Friday (Nov. 2nd). Resources being used to conduct the burn include eleven fire engines, two hand crews along with a bulldozer, helicopter and water tender. CAL Fire reports that resources will remain on scene throughout the week to ensure the site is completely controlled before turning the burn over to the landowners.