Plumas National Forest reports that all three ranger districts are planning prescribed burn operations this week.
On the Beckwourth Ranger District, firefighters plan to treat approximately 170 acres of hand piles west of Plumas Pines with ignitions starting today and continuing through Friday, conditions permitting. This is generally in the same area firefighters were working on in November.
Smoke is expected to be visible in the area but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Mohawk, Johnsville, Plumas Pines, Graeagle, Blairsden and the surrounding areas. Drivers on westbound Highway 70 will likely see smoke.
On the Mount Hough Ranger District, firefighters plan to treat approximately 42 acres of piles around the Mount Hough Ranger District office located north of Quincy on Highway 70, conditions permitting. PNF says efforts are being made to minimize impacts to nearby residents and the highway. Ignitions are expected to start today and may continue through Friday. Pile burning in the project area may continue in the coming weeks as conditions allow.
On the Feather River Ranger District, firefighters are planning pile burning operations near the communities of Magalia in Butte County and Challenge in Yuba County.
For all of these operations, area residents and visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings, watch for firefighter traffic and firefighters working near roads.
Smoke impacts are possible near the projects. Visibility on roads in the project area may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve. Firefighters will be monitoring conditions throughout operations.
More information on the Plumas National Forest is available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas and http://www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.