Started: 1:27 p.m. March 31

Initial location: Fresno County, Calif.

Fire type: Prescribed

Fire name: Virgina Understory

A new prescribed burn, called Virgina Understory, was initiated today at 1:27 p.m. in in Fresno County, California.

The prescribed fire has been burning on federal land managed by the United States Forest 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