Although there’s still plenty of snow in the Sierra, the Tahoe National Forest is also getting ready for the summer season, as part of Wildfire Awareness Week. Public Affairs Officer Michael Woodbridge says this spring’s conditions should allow them to conduct more prescribed burns, compared to the drought years. And that includes a series of burns scheduled to begin Wednesday in the Yuba River Ranger District, east of Nevada City, off Highway 20, including near the Harmony Ridge conservation camp…

click to listen to Michael Woodbridge

So, Woodbridge says, more prescribed burns should help to significantly reduce this year’s wildfire danger, even though there will be more fuel. And, as usual, the best thing the public can do is to make sure they’ve created adequate defensible space around their homes…

click to listen to Michael Woodbridge

Woodbridge says other fuel reduction projects planned include chipping, piling, and thinning. He says the wildfire season in the Sierra will be slowed at least a few weeks, with a lot of snow that still needs to melt.