PRESCRIBED FIRE PLANNED FOR SOUTH COW MOUNTAIN

A prescribed fire,  designed to improve wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, is planned for the South Cow Mountain area east of Ukiah for Wednesday and Thursday, Dec, 6 and 7.  The project was originally planned for mid November, but was postponed because of unfavorable conditions.

The fire, a cooperative project of the Bureau of Land Management and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, will burn brush in 15 to 20 percent of a 15,000-acre area, according to Jim Dawson, fire management officer for the BLM's Ukiah Field Office.   CDF crews will carry out the project as part of the agency's Vegetation Management Program.

The fire will be ignited only if a variety of conditions, including wind, relative humidity, temperature, fuel moisture and others, fall within specified ranges.  Fire control lines are already in place.  Fire engines and crews will be on hand to keep the fire within containment lines.

For public safety, the BLM's South Cow Mountain Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area will be closed during the project.

Smoke will be visible from Lakeport.  For more information on the project, contact the BLM's Ukiah Field Office at 468-4000.