Prescribed burns have started in Angeles National Forest to clear dry brush

Prescribed burn operations have begun in the Angeles National Forest in an effort to reduce the amount of dry vegetation that can feed wildfires, forest officials announced Wednesday.

The burns will occur through the winter and spring months as weather and other factors permit, according to Angeles National Forest officials.

Burns are planned near sites such as fire stations, visitor centers, fuel breaks and areas with densely populated tree growth, in hopes of removing vegetation to increase defensible space and improve forest health.

Prescribed fires will include both understory and pile burning to reduce the amount of vegetation such as needles, small plants, brush and small trees that can carry fire from the forest floor into treetops, officials said.

Prescribed burns are coordinated with the National Weather Service and Air Quality Management District to manage smoke production and minimize public impacts as much as possible. Information signs will be posted along roadways to alert the public to the burning activity and visible smoke when the burns occur, according to forest officials.

Residents can learn about planned burns and the possibility of visible smoke by following Angeles National Forest Twitter and Facebook accounts.

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