Cooler and Wetter Weather Affects Honeybee Fire
Incident: Honeybee Prescribed Fire
Released: 5/22/2008
Cooler and Wetter Weather Affects Honeybee Fire
Inyo National Forest fire management officials report that the Honeybee Fire, which is being managed as a wildland fire use fire, has grown only slightly over the past few days under cooler and wetter weather conditions.
The fire, burning in timber and brush in the South Sierra Wilderness southwest of Olancha, had reached 1235 acres when last mapped and has grown little over the past few days. Weather conditions have changed considerably over the past two days, with snow and much cooler temperatures in the fire area. Due to the weather change, fire management officials are beginning to release resources on Thursday May 22.
The Honeybee Fire may continue to burn over the next several days, but is expected to burn only at a low intensity and only in isolated pockets. One Wildland Fire Use crew, specially trained in wildland fire use fires, will remain assigned to the fire to monitor its status and take any action that becomes necessary.
The fire is burning in a mosaic pattern within the burn perimeter, mimicking how wildfire has historically burned in the area. This pattern of burning can help enhance wildlife habitat and soil productivity and can reduce the build-up of dead vegetation that can create unnaturally large fires that are expensive to fight, while allowing fire to resume its natural role in the ecosystem.
Smoke may continue to be visible along Highway 395 and as far away as Ridgecrest, Big Pine and Kennedy Meadows.
Information and updates for the Honeybee Fire can be found on the internet at http://www.inciweb.org/.
For more information, please contact Kenny Gaynor at 873-2541.
