Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth and Feather River Ranger Districts plan to conduct pile burning operations starting today, conditions permitting.
On the Beckwourth Ranger District, plans are to treat approximately 50 acres of large machine piles located in the Conklin Park and Lake Davis Recreation Area. Approximately 20 acres are in Conklin Park and approximately 30 acres are at Lake Davis.
The piles are located in and around the recreation sites and will help improve conditions.
Ignitions are planned to start later this morning and should be complete before the end of today.
On the Feather River Ranger District, firefighters will be working on pile burning at locations in the Little Grass Valley Recreation Area between Horse Camp and Little Beaver campgrounds on the east side of Little Grass Valley Reservoir. Approximately 80 acres of piles are planned for treatment.
Ignitions are planned to start later this morning and may occur over the next few days.
All of the sites with planned pile burning today have received precipitation recently.
Smoke is expected to be visible in the area but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including La Porte and the community near Silver Tip Road.
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are possible on neighboring forest roads. Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles.
There will be increased firefighting equipment traffic in these areas. Drivers in the area should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and possible slow traffic.
Several recreation sites have been winterized and closed for the season. However, anyone recreating in these areas is encouraged to use caution.
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.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
