Started: 12:40 p.m. March 31

Initial location: Merced County, Calif.

Fire type: Prescribed

Fire name: Lur Moffat 8

A new prescribed burn, named Lur Moffat 8, was initiated today at 12:40 p.m. in in Merced County, California.

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

At present, specifics regarding the extent of land burned and the size of the crew conducting the prescribed fire are unavailable.

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