CORONA, Calif. — Smoke visible in the hills south of Corona today is part of a planned fire operation and does not require emergency reporting, officials said.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) began conducting a prescribed burn in the Cleveland National Forest at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13. The operation is scheduled to conclude around 4:30 p.m.
The Corona Fire Department alerted residents that smoke would be visible throughout the day in the hills south of the city. Fire officials emphasized that residents should not call 911 to report smoke seen in that specific area during the designated hours.
Prescribed burns are standard forest management tools used to reduce hazardous vegetation, such as dry brush and “ladder fuels,” which can otherwise increase the intensity of wildfires. By clearing this excess growth under controlled conditions, land managers aim to protect nearby communities and improve forest health.
The burn is taking place within the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest, which borders the city of Corona.
Residents with respiratory sensitivities are typically advised to limit outdoor activity when smoke is present in their immediate area, though specific air quality advisories were not immediately issued for this operation.
For updates on fire activity in the area, residents can follow the Cleveland National Forest and Corona Fire Department on social media.
