Plumas National Forest Begins Prescribed Burns Near Magalia for Fire Prevention

Approximately 20 acres of pile burning and underburning are planned in the Magalia Project area off Hollywood Road. Ignitions are expected to start around 9 a.m. and be completed in one day.

Smoke is expected to be visible from Magalia, Paradise, Chico and the Sacramento Valley, but is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities.

Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected in Magalia and along neighboring forest roads. Visibility on roads in the project area may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. There is potential for smoke settling in the evening in Paradise.

Firefighters will make efforts to reduce smoke impacts to nearby communities. This includes planning to stop ignitions earlier in the day and monitoring weather conditions. Smoke is expected to settle into the Butte Creek drainage, away from communities, but conditions may change.

Area residents and visitors sensitive to smoke may want to be prepared for potential smoke impacts and take measures to reduce exposure.

There will be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area. It is recommended to use caution in the area from Skyway east to the edge of Magalia and from Perry Road north to Elmwood Road in Magalia during the prescribed burning operation. Drivers should watch for fire equipment exiting and entering roadways and possible slow traffic in the area for the next several days.

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 entire operation.

The area being treated is an unburned area of the Plumas National Forest adjacent to the 2018 Camp Fire burned area. The pile burning and underburning occurring is part of critical fuel reduction work to protect area communities and residents, reducing the risk of wildfire.