Fire Management

California naturally experiences wildfires due to its dry climate, vegetation, and seasonal conditions. Historically, the Miwok people managed fire through controlled burns: intentional, low-intensity fires set to clear underbrush and other flammable vegetation. Some plants, like pine trees, rely on fire for regeneration.

The paved road you're standing on is not a hiking trail; it’s a state-mandated fire road designed to provide quick emergency access in fire-prone areas. At Lodi Lake, we no longer follow the Miwok’s prescribed burning techniques due to the risk posed to nearby properties and infrastructure. Modern fire management has shifted toward thinning forests, creating fire roads, and installing hydrants as preventive measures. However, these measures are not always effective, and climate change is leading to increasingly severe wildfires that challenge fire management efforts.