Post Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026

Prescribed burns in Calaveras Big Trees State Park

The weather cooperated long enough for crews to bring beneficial fire once again to the South Grove. State Parks assisted by CAL FIRE began ignition at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday, October 19 and ignition lasted through Tuesday. The rain held off just long enough for crews to complete the prescribed burn unit. These 697 acres are in addition to the 25 acres completed at the beginning of October near the South Grove Trailhead. The South Grove area remains closed. 

In October 2024, crews treated 1,145 acres of the planned 1,317 prescribed burn acreage in the South Grove. The prescribed burn in the South Grove this year will re-treat some acres that did not burn well enough to reduce fuel and promote giant sequoia regeneration as well as treat additional acres in the area. Fire is part of the natural ecosystem for giant sequoia. Giant sequoia need beneficial moderate fire to aid reproduction, and they depend on fire for their long-term survival. Heat from fire opens cones and helps release seeds. Fire also creates the right conditions needed for large numbers of giant sequoia seedlings to sprout. It clears debris, creates a mineral soil seed bed, and allows sunlight to reach the forest floor. Beneficial fire like prescribed fire can protect giant sequoia groves from extreme wildfire. Please visit giantsequoias.org to learn more about threats giant sequoia face.
 
 
Planned Fall Prescribed Burning

California State Parks, with assistance from CAL FIRE, plans to conduct prescribed burns in Calaveras Big Trees State Park as soon as Wednesday, Sept. 30. There are four separate treatment areas planned covering approximately 780 acres in the South Grove area, North Grove Meadow and West Moran. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions; if weather or vegetation conditions are not conducive for burning and smoke dispersal, the department will reschedule the treatment.During and after the prescribed burning, visitors should expect partial park closures, including the South Grove Trail, Beaver Creek area, Bradley Grove Trail, fire road around the South Grove, the Walter W. Smith Memorial Parkway south of the Stanislaus River, and West Moran road at the park boundary with Upper Moran Road. For more information about prescribed burns at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, please visit parks.ca.gov/BigTreesPrescribedFire

 

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