Planned pile burning in the Concow Basin area next week and firefighter traffic will be increasing (Sunday) as preparations get going ahead of operations Tuesday.
Firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District are planning on prescribed burning operations next week on approximately 384 acres at four locations in the Concow Basin starting Tuesday, January 27, conditions permitting.
Plans are to treat approximately 266 acres in the Cirby Creek Unit near Cirby Creek Road and Vista Ridge Road with prescribed burning.
Approximately 51 acres on the Crain Ridge Unit near Crain Ridge Road and approximately 64 acres on the Backstrap South Unit located on the Rim Road north of Flea Valley are planned for combined pile burning and underburning.
Finally, approximately three acres of pile burning is planned on the Radio Rim Unit, located off the Rim Road 1.5 miles east of Concow Reservoir.
Beginning tomorrow (Sunday), there will be increased firefighter traffic in the area as preparations continue ahead of prescribed burning operations.
Fire traffic volume will generally be high throughout the week, especially on Concow Road, Crain Ridge Road, Cirby Creek Road, Vista Ridge Road, the Rim Road and surrounding roads. The public is asked to avoid these roads in the Concow Basin if possible, use alternate routes or use extreme caution traveling in the area.
Additionally, drivers on California State Highway 70 and near access roads into the Concow Basin from the highway should use caution and watch for firefighting equipment entering and exiting area roadways and possible slow traffic.
Once operations start on Tuesday, Jan 27th, smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Concow, Magalia, Paradise, and Jarbo Gap, as well as Rim Road, Concow Road, and California State Highway 70.
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected along Concow Road, Crain Ridge Road, Cirby Creek Road, Vista Ridge Road, the Rim Road and neighboring forest roads. Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced at times.
During the evening smoke may settle in lower areas including Concow and the surrounding area. Individuals who are smoke sensitive in these areas are advised to monitor conditions and take precautions if needed.
These operations are part of ongoing fuel reduction in areas affected by the 2018 Camp Fire and to help with community protection for communities in the Concow Basin and surrounding area. It is part of essential work for community protection from wildfire, as well as post-fire forest recovery and reforestation preparations.
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 the operation.
Sharing a map of the units planned for treatment for reference.
