Post Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026

Prescribed burns in Calaveras Big Trees State Park

On October 19, crews began ignition on a 697-acre prescribed burn unit in the South Grove. California State Parks, with assistance from CAL FIRE, conducts prescribed burns to help manage the forest. Bringing beneficial fire to the landscape is planned and includes a written scientific prescription for each burn area. A prescription considers weather, available resources, safety, and ability to meet burn objectives, and each prescribed burn must meet all conditions before ignition. Ignition is planned for several days as long as conditions are right and resources are in place.

 
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.
 
The South Grove area, 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 is CLOSED.
 
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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