Shasta-Trinity National Forest plans prescribed fire near Platina, Mount Shasta, Trinity Lake
Prescribed fire is a key tool in reducing wildfire risk
(Redding, CA October 22, 2026) — The Shasta-Trinity National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations starting Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, and continuing into next week, as weather conditions allow and pending all required approvals.
We use prescribed fires to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
Prescribed fire operations include:
· Harrison Gulch prescribed fire project, near Platina (59 acres). Operations will start on Sunday.
· McBride Units, north of Mount Shasta City along Everitt Memorial Highway (500 acres). Operations will begin Monday. Some trails in the Gateway trail system may be impacted (Lemurian Delirium, Muir’s Ascension); please avoid these trails when ignitions are in progress.
· Lake Forest Plantations, southwest side of Trinity Lake (200 acres). Operations will start Tuesday.
Areas near these projects may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.
We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.
Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.
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.
