Started: 19 days ago, 10:06 a.m. April 2

Initial location: Merced County, Calif.

Fire type: Prescribed

Fire name: Elk Slough C

A new prescribed burn, called Elk Slough C, was initiated 10:06 a.m. April 2 in Merced County.

The prescribed fire has been burning on federal land managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for 19 days.

Currently, there are no specifics on the extent of land burned or the size of the crew involved in 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