Angeles National Forest

Fire and Aviation

Wildland Fire Terminology

Do know the difference between a controlled and contained fire?  Can you tell a swamper from a sawyer?  If not, check out this glossary of wildland fire terms.   » read more

Vegetation Management on the Angeles National Forest

Each year, thousands of acres of grasses, chaparral, and trees in the San Gabriel Mountains are strategically chosen for vegetation "treatments."   These treatments may including removing dead or diseased trees, pruning, removal of dead understory, thinning of timber stands, chipping, masticating brush and pile burning. Although the window for using prescribed fire (broadcast burning) is very narrow in southern California (winds, humidity and a variety of other factors have to be just right for this to be done safely), this method is sometimes used to remove hazardous fuels and improve habitat conditions for wildlife.

The goals of the vegetation or "fuels" management projects are twofold—to protect communities from the threat of wildfires and to improve forest health conditions. To learn more about the Angeles National Forest Vegetation Management program visit the Vegetation Management webpage.

[ photo:   Winter Burning of Understory Vegetation ]

Fire Hire

Interested in working to fight wildland fire?  Find out about how you can become one of the hard working members of the the largest wildland firefighting force in the world.   » read more