Plumas National Forest reports that firefighters on the Mount Hough Ranger District plan to start pile burning operations tomorrow near Silver Lake, conditions permitting.
The goal is to treat approximately 500 acres of piles in the Silver Lake and Black Gulch area, between Bucks Lake Wilderness and the community of Meadow Valley. Ignitions are expected to start tomorrow, continue through Friday and go into patrol status for Saturday and Sunday. PNF expects to resume ignitions Monday, March 24, continuing through Wednesday, March 26.
Smoke is expected to be visible from Meadow Valley, Quincy, Tollgate and the surrounding area, but it is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities.
Minor smoke impacts of short duration are expected in Meadow Valley and Quincy and along Bucks Lake Road, Silver Lake Road and neighboring forest roads. Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles.
Plumas County Fire Safe Council is helping fund this pile burning operation through a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, with work being conducted by firefighters from the Plumas National Forest and Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression Inc.
There will be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area, says PNF. Drivers should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and be aware of slow traffic.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve, says PNF. Firefighters will be monitoring conditions throughout the entire operation.
More information on the Plumas National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/plumas and www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
Information provided by Plumas National Forest
