Fuels reduction and forest health thinning ramps up in May

Expect temporary forest closures for public safety

Thinning is designed to reduce hazardous fuels and tree density and to improve wildfire resilience and forest health as part of these planning projects: Eastern Sierra Climate and Community Resilience Project, Three Creeks Jeffrey Pine Forest Health and Restoration Project, Inyo Craters Area Bark Beetle Mortality Hazard Abatement Project, Reds Meadow Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, and June Mountain Ski Area Vegetation Management Plan.

Visitors should expect temporary forest closures around thinning operations for public safety. Visitors should also be advised that they may encounter log trucks on narrow forest roads and entering/exiting larger roads around town. Work is scheduled for 6-7 days each week.

“As we continue to increase the pace and scale of our vegetation treatments to protect our communities and forests, we want to recognize that this increase would not be attainable without partner and local community support,” said acting Forest Supervisor Nathan Sill.

• Current forest closures on the Inyo National Forest
• More information and background about each planning project
• Regular updates on Whitebark Institute’s implementation

Estimated work timeline 

Work is planned to continue through November and in some cases December. However, individual project timelines may change due to weather conditions or other changing circumstances. Projects are listed north to south.

This overview map shows the three main projects of June Lake & Scenic Loop, Red Meadows, and Mammoth Lakes Area. More detailed maps and information can be found on the forest’s news release page.

Contacts for additional information:

• Inyo National Forest: Courtney Rowe, [email protected]
• National Forest Foundation: Catherine Cody, [email protected]
• Whitebark Institute: Ali Ursa, [email protected]

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

About the National Forest Foundation: As the official national partner to the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1993. Today, the NFF advances forest resiliency, healthy watersheds and wildlife habitat, and recreation for all by working with communities and organizations across the country. The Foundation has grown significantly in the last few years in programmatic impact, revenue and support, and organizational capacity. NFF leads with impact, deploying roughly 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF is forward-thinking and innovative, with ambitious strategies and goals to advance and prepare forests for a new economy.

About the Whitebark Institute: Whitebark Institute is a non-profit organization focused on improving the health of Eastern Sierra forests, surrounding landscapes, and communities to ensure they can adapt and flourish in response to future wildfires and other impacts of our changing climate. Learn more at www.whitebarkinstitute.org.
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