News

Lassen Volcanic Monitoring Small Fire in Wilderness

MINERAL, CA – Lassen Volcanic National Park is monitoring a quarter acre, lightning-ignited wildfire in Lassen Volcanic Wilderness.

The fire is located near Red Cinder Cone along the eastern border of the park. Park Fire Management is working in close communication with Lassen National Forest, which manages the adjacent Caribou Wilderness area.

A fire lookout on Mt. Harkness detected a small amount of smoke in the area at approximately 10 a.m. on August 14. Air surveillance and ground crews later confirmed the fire location southwest of Red Cinder Cone.

The Red Fire is burning at high elevation (7,200 feet) in predominately red fir forest. Fuel moisture in the area is above average following a heavy winter snowpack and recent isolated showers that produced approximately an inch of precipitation in the fire area.

The fire is currently burning at low-intensity with minimal fire behavior and smoke output. The fire has potential to burn throughout the fire season and smoke output could increase later on. The park will continue to monitor the fire to maximize resource benefits and minimize risk.

Lassen Volcanic National Park will communication any change in strategy or significant variation in fire behavior through the park website at go.nps.gov/lavo/fire.