Stanislaus Firefighters to Begin Broadcast Burning in Cedar Ridge Area

SONORA, Calif., Jan. 14, 2026 —– Firefighters with the Stanislaus National Forest’s Sugarpine Ranger District will begin broadcast burning operations in the Cedar Ridge area as soon as Tuesday, January 20 through the end of February with a goal of consuming 675 acres.

Burning in this area with its proximity to homes is considered one of the more complex burning operations and will be classified as a Type 1 burn operation, the Forest Service’s highest complexity rating. With the rating, Sugarpine District Fire Management Officer, Shaun Craig will serve as thew burn boss.

“We’re looking to continue the work already done on the fuel breaks in this area behind Cedar Ridge and below the Mount Elizabeth lookout as part of our continued forest health and fuels reduction work,” said Burn Boss Trainee, Steve Shultz.

Map of Burn Units

Fire management officials work with California Air Resources Board and Tuolumne / Mariposa County Air Pollution smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn. 

What does this mean for you?

• During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.
• To learn more about wildfire smoke, please visit the Stanislaus National Forest’s Smoke Ready Page
• All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
• If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.
• If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.
• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.
• If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.
• Visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources.

Weather conditions are evaluated regularly, up to hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

For more information, contact Stanislaus National Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel at benjamin.cossel@usda.gov.