Crime & Safety

USFS: Look Out for Smoke in Pass, Debris Pile Burning

Firefighters were scheduled to be out Wednesday near the Banning Bench burning brush and debris piles, a San Bernardino National Forest representative said.

Residents in the San Gorgonio Pass are advised not to worry if they see smoke coming from the Oak Glen area Wednesday, as firefighters were scheduled to carry out a "slash and debris pile burning" operation, fire officials said.

Burning was scheduled to start between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., and continue on through the day.

"Residents and visitors may see smoke; the pile burning will be east of the Oak Glen Conservation Camp," according to John Miller of the San Bernardino National Forest.

Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This is only the second consecutive year in recent history that firefighters have carried out a burning operation like this in our area, though they are common in many places.   to reduce hazardous fuels and help prevent fires.

"This is part of the on-going Oak Glen community protection fuels reduction project," Miller said.

Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Approximately 20-30 piles were slated to be burned Wednesday, with crews lighting them through lunchtime and monitoring them the rest of the day, according to Miller.

The representative tells Patch that, on a clear day, smoke from these sorts of piles can be seen from dozens of miles away.

Some 70 firefighters from the US Forest Service and Cal Fire-- as well as Cal Fire inmate crews-- were all slated to help with the burning operation, he added.

The Oak Glen Conservation Camp is located near the north end of the Banning Bench.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.