Started: 12:05 p.m. March 11

Initial location: Merced County, Calif.

Fire type: Prescribed

Fire name: Lur Elk Pasture 176

A new prescribed burn, named Lur Elk Pasture 176, was initiated today at 12:05 p.m. at in Merced County, California.

The prescribed fire has been burning on federal land managed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Currently, no information is available regarding the land area burned or the size of the crew conducting the prescribed fire.

Prescribed fire (prescribed burn) is a wildfire prevention method that involves burning an area of land in a controlled manner to minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Source: National Interagency Fire Center