After a successful day of pile burning Nov. 6 on the Plumas National Forest, ignitions continued Nov. 7 and are expected to progress throughout the week on additional projects, reports PNF Public Information Officer Tamara Schmidt.
On Nov. 6, firefighters on the Beckwourth Ranger District successfully treated approximately seven acres of pile burning in Lakes Basin. By afternoon, there was snow accumulating in the area. Firefighters shifted Nov. 7 to ignite approximately nine acres of piles near Frazier Falls in the Lakes Basin area. There are no additional plans for pile burning in the area this week.
On the Mount Hough Ranger District, firefighters successfully completed nine acres of pile burning at Bucks Lake Nov. 6. Ignitions continued Nov. 7 on the remaining 17 acres of piles. The piles are located near cabins and businesses at Bucks Lake. Generally, the pile burning will take place near Big Creek Road, Haskins, and Quarry Road.
In addition to the operations at Bucks Lake, firefighters will begin fall pile burning in the area burned by the Moonlight Fire near Antelope Lake. Approximately 740 acres are planned for treatment this week, conditions permitting.
“We want to complete ignitions in this area before heavy snows and while conditions are ideal,” said Mount Hough Ranger District Fuels Battalion Joe McGinn. “This will allow us to meet the prescription for pile consumption and better prepare the land for reforestation and planting in the spring and early summer.”
Firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District planned to ignite approximately 269 acres of piles starting Nov. 7 in the La Porte RX – Little Grass Project area near Little Grass Valley Reservoir. Ignitions are expected to continue Nov. 8.
For these pile burning operations, Schmidt reports that smoke may be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Graeagle, Blairsden, Bucks Lake, Meadow Valley and Indian Valley. Short-duration, minor smoke impacts are possible on neighboring forest roads, Lakes Basin Highway, and the Oro-Quincy Highway.
For the pile burning near Antelope Lake, there is a possibility of smoke being visible to communities in the Susanville area, as well as along U.S. Highway 395. Generally, cloud cover and storms passing through the area have been making smoke less visible.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve, said Schmidt. Firefighters will be monitoring conditions throughout operations.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
Information submitted by Plumas National Forest
