QUINCY, CA — Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest will be resuming prescribed burning operations late this week, conditions permitting.
On the Feather River Ranger District, operations are expected to resume tomorrow on the La Porte RX – Grass Flat Project on the north side of Little Grass Valley Reservoir. Approximately 238 acres are planned for treatment.
Ignitions are expected to start tomorrow and may continue through Saturday if the area remains within prescription.
Most of the units are located near Forest Road 22N57 between Black Rock and Horse Camp campgrounds. The trail along the lake between the campgrounds will be closed. While roads remain open, recreating public is asked to avoid the area, including the campgrounds. Wyandotte Campground and the recreation sites on the peninsula are still open through this weekend.
Area residents and visitors in the area should be prepared for increased firefighter traffic and smoke. Visibility on roads in the project area may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. Drivers in the area should use caution.
Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including La Porte and American House. Short duration, minor smoke impacts are possible on neighboring forest roads.
Today firefighters on the Beckwourth Ranger District successfully completed 12 acres of pile burning near Elwell Lodge and Gold Lake Highway.
They are now preparing for possible prescribed burning operations on the Big Hill Project near the communities of Cromberg and Sloat, east of Quincy. Conditions permitting, ignitions may start Friday and go through Monday to treat approximately 300 acres.
On the Mount Hough Ranger District, mop-up and patrol is continuing on the Butterfly Valley Prescribed Burn Project that occurred last weekend. Approximately 110 acres were successfully treated, with many of the units bordering private property. The project area received approximately three-quarters of an inch of rain, which has helped with mop-up and securing the prescribed burn units.
Updates will be provided on the La Porte RX – Grass Flat Project in coming days, as well as more information on the Big Hill Project and possible smoke impacts if the area remains in prescription for treatment.
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.
