As one Plumas National Forest district plans to start pile burning today, another adjusts plans

Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District plan to start pile burning as firefighters on the Beckwourth Ranger District will pause Nov. 20  and resume ignitions tomorrow, Nov. 21, conditions permitting.

On the Feather River Ranger District near Brush Creek, firefighters are planning to ignite approximately 150 acres of large machine piles.  The piles are near the Brush Creek Work Center, along Oro Quincy Highway, Bald Rock Road and Zink Road.

Ignitions of piles in the Berry Brush Project area may continue through Friday.  The incoming storm and predicted precipitation are expected to help the pile burning effort.

On the Beckwourth Ranger District, yesterday firefighters successfully treated 204 acres of piles in Lakes Basin, primarily east of Graeagle Lodge and near Frazier Falls Road in Lakes Basin.

They planned to continue treatment in Lakes Basin today and stop ignitions for the week.  However, late yesterday afternoon firefighters decided to pause ignitions and work on monitoring and patrol today, resuming ignitions tomorrow.

Conditions permitting, they plan to treat approximately 50 acres of piles near Mohawk-Chapman Road in Lakes Basin starting Thursday morning.

The forecasted storm is also expected to continue to support conditions for pile burning in Lakes Basin and for the area to remain within prescription.

Smoke is expected to be visible in the area but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Brush Creek, Berry Creek, Madrone Lake, Graeagle, Blairsden, Clio and Portola.

Short duration, minor smoke impacts are possible on neighboring forest roads, Oro Quincy Highway, Bald Rock Road, Zink Road and Gold Lake Highway.  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.

Recreation sites in the Lakes Basin remain accessible, despite being winterized for the season.  With the draw of fresh snow accumulating with each storm, 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 fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at facebook.com/USFSPlumas.