Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Mount Hough Ranger District plan to conduct pile burning operations this week on two projects – one near Taylorsville and one near Meadow Valley, conditions permitting.
Tomorrow firefighters plan to treat approximately 62 acres of piles south of Taylorsville. Ignitions are expected to be completed in one day but may continue Thursday if needed and conditions allow.
The next project area planned for treatment is located near Spanish Ranch, between National Forest Road 25N17 and Snake Lake Road northeast of Meadow Valley. Firefighters plan to treat approximately 101 acres of piles, starting ignitions as early as Thursday, once pile burning ignitions are complete and secured on the project near Taylorsville. Ignitions in the Spanish Ranch Project area are expected to take approximately two days, conditions permitting.
Smoke is expected to be visible from Taylorsville, Genesee Valley, Indian Valley, Bucks Lake, Meadow Valley, Quincy, Oro-Quincy Highway, California State Highways 70 and 89, and the surrounding area.
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are possible on 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 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.
Area residents and visitors planning to recreate in the area are asked to be aware of their surroundings, be prepared for possible short-term smoke and reduced visibility, and to watch for vehicle traffic and firefighters working near roads.
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.
