Sometime this month, the U.S Forest Service will be conducting prescribed burns north of Redding. Both areas are near Jones Valley. The smaller unit is 90 acres and is located near Bear Mountain, south of Mariner’s Point Campground and will involve hand ignition of ground fuels. The larger unit is on the southeastern slope of the Green Mountain Peninsula and will consist of 6,100 acres and will involve a combination of hand and aerial ignitions with helicopters. The fires will create smoke that will be visible from many areas in the eastern portion of Shasta Lake, along Interstate 5 near Bridge Bay, Highway 299 towards Round Mountain and the Silverthorn and Jones Valley areas. The decision on when to light the fires depends on weather and air quality conditions. The burns may last as long as 3 days, with smoke lingering longer. Due to the aircraft involved, the public is reminded to refrain from operating any drones in the area during the prescribed burns.