Starting Dec. 9, 2024, Tahoe National Forest will begin a prescribed pile burn near Boca Reservoir. Ignitions are likely to last up to 5 days with 15 acres expected to be completed this week, conditions permitting. Ignitions to complete the 58.5-acre project will begin again at a later date.
Smoke is expected to be limited but may be visible from Truckee and the I-80 corridor. Smoke impacts will be carefully monitored, and efforts will be taken to reduce impacts to communities.
Truckee - Boca Pile Burn
Truckee Ranger District
Acres expected this week: 15
Project potential acreage: 58.5
Ignition dates: Dec. 9-13, conditions permitting
Legal location: T 18N R 17E Sec. 21
Why Are We Burning?
The goal of this prescribed burn is to decrease the existing fire hazard and to prevent and reduce the impact of future fires in the area. Other benefits include enhancing wildlife habitat and reintroducing fire into a fire-adapted ecosystem.
Why Now?
Current conditions allow for prescribed burning. Each prescribed fire operation follows a prescribed fire burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke. This information is used to decide when and where to burn. The Tahoe National Forest strives to give as much advance notice as possible before burning, but some operations may be conducted on short notice.
Smoke
Smoke from prescribed fire operations is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size and environmental conditions. Smoke may settle into the valleys in the evening and lift in the morning. The Tahoe National Forest coordinates with state and local county air pollution control districts and monitors weather conditions closely prior to prescribed fire ignition. Crews also conduct test burns before igniting a larger area, to verify how effectively fuels are consumed and how smoke will travel.
