Plumas National Forest reports that firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District successfully treated approximately 60 acres of piles at five locations along La Porte Road and at Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area yesterday, Nov. 19.
Three of the locations are along or near La Porte Road: approximately 35 acres of large machine piles in the Gibsonville area, approximately 5 acres of hand piles near American House in the Valley Creek Project area and approximately 12 acres of machine piles in Strawberry Valley.
The fourth location is a machine pile located behind the RV Dump Station near Little Beaver Campground on Forest Road 22N57 on the east side of Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area.
In addition to the original 53 acres planned, firefighters were able to treat an additional 2 acres in the Valley Creek Project area near American House. It was also determined that conditions were favorable to treat approximately 5 acres of large machine piles near Wyandotte Campground at Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area.
Personnel reported that there was good consumption of fuels at all locations. Smoke mixed well with the storm coming in and smoke dispersal was excellent, said PNF.
Forest personnel point out that as the piles burn, they will continue to be visible in the surrounding area, including smoke during the day and glow produced from burning at night.
Minor smoke impacts of short duration are expected along La Porte 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. During the evening smoke may settle in lower areas including American House, Strawberry Valley and the Wyandotte Peninsula area. Individuals who are smoke sensitive in these areas are advised to monitor conditions and take precautions if needed.
There was precipitation over the area yesterday. Fuels surrounding the pile burning operations are saturated due to approximately 14 inches of rain received over the past few weeks. Firefighters say this is helping ensure the piles are secure as they burn down.
There are no plans for further ignitions this week or next. Firefighters will be patrolling and monitoring all of the piles over the next few weeks.
More information on the Plumas National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.