BLM Launches Prescribed Burns in Inimim Forest, Nevada County

Planned operations aim to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is set to begin prescribed fire operations on Monday, March 16, in the Inimim Forest located east of North Columbia in Nevada County, California. These mechanical pile burn operations could continue through June, dependent on weather conditions, air quality, resource availability, and onsite observations.

Why it matters

The planned burns are part of the larger Inimim Forest Restoration Project, a multi-year effort focused on improving forest health and reducing wildfire hazards in an area where public lands are interwoven with private property. Prescribed burns are a proactive approach to forest management that can help mitigate the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires.

The details

The planned burns will cover approximately 250 acres near Jackass Flats Road, Silverthorne Lane, and Kadaheska Way. The Yuba Watershed Institute is coordinating with the BLM, utilizing crews and machinery to thin dense tree covers and brush. Residents in Nevada City, Camptonville, and the Upper Ridge area near North Columbia and North Bloomfield may observe smoke during the burn operations.

  • The burn operations are scheduled to start on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • The burns may continue through June 2026, depending on weather conditions, air quality, resource availability, and onsite observations.

The players

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The federal agency responsible for managing public lands, including the Inimim Forest, and overseeing the prescribed burn operations.

Yuba Watershed Institute

A local organization coordinating with the BLM to utilize crews and machinery for thinning dense tree covers and brush as part of the Inimim Forest Restoration Project.

Jeff Horn

The Mother Lode Field Manager for the BLM, overseeing the efforts to protect communities and improve fire resiliency in the Inimim Forest.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The efforts are intended to 'protect communities in the wildland-urban interface and improve fire resiliency.'”

— Jeff Horn, Mother Lode Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management

What’s next

The burn operations will be continuously monitored, and adjustments may be made to the schedule based on evolving circumstances.

The takeaway

Prescribed burns are a crucial tool in forest management, helping to reduce the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires in areas where public lands and private property are intertwined. The Inimim Forest Restoration Project demonstrates how local and federal agencies can collaborate to improve forest health and community safety.