QUINCY, CA — This week Plumas National Forest firefighters are continuing to burn piles across the forest following successful treatment in Butterfly Valley last week.
Today firefighters on the Mount Hough Ranger District were able to treat 29 acres of piles in the Genesee area. Tomorrow, conditions permitting, firefighters plan to ignite approximately 10 acres of piles near Elizabethtown Road and California Highway 70.
Last week, approximately 18 acres of pile burning was successfully completed in Butterfly Valley. If conditions are favorable, work may continue in the area Friday.
Firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District are hoping to treat approximately 44 acres of piles near Forbestown, Challenge and along La Porte Road in Yuba County.
Conditions are being monitored closely. Predicted storms and increased moisture in the area after an extended dry period is helping to improve conditions in some areas.
Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities. This includes Genesee and Taylorsville from the ignitions today, as well as Meadow Valley and Quincy if ignitions occur tomorrow. On the Feather River Ranger District, smoke will be visible to the communities near the six sites where work is planned, including Challenge, where the two largest projects are, as well Bullards Bar Reservoir.
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected along area roads in the project areas. This includes Highway 70 outside Quincy and along La Porte Road.
Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. Drivers in the area should 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 and the burning piles until fires are out.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
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