Federal firefighters are conducting prescribed burns in the San Bernardino National Forest close to Mountain Center as several motorists reported fires to the Forest Service.
According to a report by NBC Palm Springs, the Feb. 25 burning event resulted in several 911 calls around Mountain Center while smoke was reported at multiple spots on Highway 74. This resulted in passing motorists phoning in what they thought was a wildfire.
The San Bernadino National Forest itself is more than 675,000 acres of federal preserve, according to the report. While it has been a federal forest since 1893 it was originally known as the San Bernadino National Forest Reserve, before being renamed in 1907.
Controlled burns have been scheduled recurrently since November, when conditions are appropriate, according to NBC.
Burns will continue throughout the week of Feb. 28, NBC reported. There are currently no road closures scheduled in relation to the burns. With the burns closely monitored by federal firefighters, they are suspended immediately where there is a change in weather.
