Plumas National Forest reports successful pile burning and underburning operations on the Feather River Ranger District last week. Some of the project areas were very visible to the surrounding area and local residents, particularly near Sawmill Peak, Magalia, Concow, Brownsville and Challenge. Though the project was not in Plumas County, smoke effects were expected to impact Highway 70, La Porte Road, North Fork Feather River and other nearby features.
On Dec. 9, firefighters successfully treated approximately 106 acres of combined pile burning and underburning on Sawmill Peak, approximately 1 mile due east of Magalia. In addition, firefighters successfully treated approximately 100 acres of combined pile burning and underburning in the Challenge area.
Pile consumption was good and underburning resulted in desired mosaic effects, said PNF. Visible glow from the burning operations was expected overnight, and the prescribed burning unit was secured and staffed overnight.
Smoke dispersal was great, though highly visible to nearby communities, said PNF. The smoke pushed south-southeast and stayed above the fog layer.
During the night, fire activity was visible to surrounding communities in the area for several hours. By 10 p.m., glow from the burning fuels was less visible and consumption continued through the night.
On Dec. 10 firefighters worked on patrol, monitoring and ensuring the prescribed burn was secure. Equipment was used to chunk or mix larger piles to ensure 100 percent consumption. Fuels continued to burn down well and northeast winds helped to lessen smoke impacts. There were no smoke impacts to Challenge. However, smoke settled in the Brownsville area.
Firefighters successfully treated approximately 25 acres of combined pile burning and underburning off Rim Road, just north of the Flea drainage. Conditions were favorable with excellent fuels consumption, said PNF. Smoke dispersal was excellent, with decent lift and movement to the south-southwest.
In the Challenge area, firefighters completed ignitions on approximately 90 acres.
Smoke impacts on La Porte Road resulted in reduced visibility, and smoke was visible south of Challenge and down the valley to Brownsville and nearby communities.
On Dec. 11, firefighters successfully treated approximately 15 acres of combined pile burning and underburning near Rim Road in the Concow area. In the Challenge area firefighters worked on patrol and monitoring, doing their best to minimize additional smoke production and impacts, said PNF. Fuel consumption and smoke dispersal were good.
Looking forward
This week’s work completes ignitions on the Feather River Ranger District for the rest of the year, said PNF. There are no planned prescribed burning operations until after the new year.
All prescribed burning units treated this week are secure, including Sawmill Peak, the Concow area near Rim Road north of the Flea drainage, and the Challenge area.
Firefighters will be working on patrol and monitoring over the next several days, and smoke production will be progressively lessening over the next few days as fuels continue to burn down at all three locations.
In the Challenge area, there continue to be smoke impacts in several areas, with heavier pockets reducing visibility. This includes on La Porte Road and smoke moving south of Challenge.
PNF points out that there are numerous organizations and members of the public who are also conducting their own burning operations throughout the area due to optimal fuel and weather conditions. This is creating other areas with visible smoke and possible smoke impacts that are not associated with PNF prescribed burning operations.
Area residents and visitors should be aware of their surroundings and prepared for reduced visibility and potential short-term smoke impacts.
Partnerships for fuel reduction
Plumas National Forest personnel say they appreciate the support of partners and neighbors, including the Butte County Fire Safe Council, Butte County Resource Conservation District, Sierra Pacific Industries, Firestorm Wildfire Suppression Inc., Lassen National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, Six Rivers National Forest and local communities as firefighters work on completing critical fuel reduction work for community protection and postfire recovery.
The Sawmill Peak area was affected by the 2018 Camp Fire. The peak and lookout are right above the community of Magalia, with only a steep canyon in between. The work done over the past 18 months by the Butte County Fire Safe Council to prepare the site for prescribed burning treatment is an essential step in community protection from wildfire for not only the community of Magalia but also for the surrounding area, said PNF.
Sierra Pacific Industries provided access to get firefighting equipment to the site, and local communities and partners exhibited patience and understanding during the work, said PNF.
The operations in Challenge are also part of ongoing critical fuel reduction for community protection from wildfire, said PNF. The community and surrounding area were threatened by the 2020 North Complex, creating urgency to complete this work.
