Controlled Burn Planned At Lake Skinner In Winchester

WINCHESTER, CA — Controlled burns are planned Wednesday and Thursday around Lake Skinner in Winchester, adding to burns underway this week near Lake Mathews.

According to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department officials, the first burn at Lake Skinner is slated for 6 a.m. Wednesday on the lake's perimeter, where 55 acres will be targeted for removal. About 75 acres of foliage was burned off earlier this month, officials said.

The operation is scheduled to conclude no later than 3 p.m. and will only proceed if winds remain calm.

Cal Fire is also conducting burns near Lake Mathews this week. The operation is expected to wrap up Thursday.

Prescribed burns are conducted every spring in the county, during calm wind days with moderate to high relative humidity, reducing wildfire danger.

The drift smoke from the operations will be visible to motorists and residents throughout western Riverside County, including along major freeways, and the fire department emphasized that people needn't be alarmed.

Anyone with questions or concerns was asked to call the agency's public affairs bureau at 951-940-6985.