Concow and Lakes Basin Prescribed Burning to Continue

QUINCY — Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest plan to resume prescribed burning and pile burning operations in Concow Basin and Lakes Basin starting today, conditions permitting.

Feather River Ranger District firefighters plan to treat approximately 104 acres in Concow Basin with both broadcast burning, also referenced as underburning, and pile burning operations near Flea Mountain. Ignitions are expected to start in the morning and be completed before the end of the day.

Firefighting resources from the Mendocino National Forest and CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department will be a part of the prescribed burning operations, as well as contract firefighting resources, the Butte County Resource Conservation District and PG&E.

The project is within the Camp Fire burn area and the prescribed burning is helping with fuel reduction and forest restoration, including preparations for planting seedlings in the spring.

On the Beckwourth Ranger District, firefighters are planning to treat approximately 180 acres of piles in Lakes Basin this week, starting with approximately 137 acres today. Ignitions are expected to start today and may continue through Friday.

The piles are located near Gold Lake Highway, as well as in the wildland urban interface on the westside of Graeagle. Forecasted winds are expected to lift and push the smoke away from the town.

Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Concow, Yankee Hill, Pulga, Graeagle, Clio, Blairsden and Mohawk. Smoke will be visible from California State Highways 70 and 89, Paradise Ridge, the Northern Sacramento Valley, Gold Lake Highway and Mohawk-Chapman Road.

Short duration, minor smoke impacts may occur in the area near Rim Road, Concow, Graeagle, Clio, Gold Lake Highway, Mohawk Chapman Road and 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 also be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area on both of the prescribed and pile burning operations. Drivers should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and possible slow traffic.

For both operations this week, the forecasted storm expected to bring rain and snow to the area starting as soon as this evening and continuing through the weekend is improving conditions, including improved smoke dispersal and fuel moisture.

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 the operations and will patrol the areas for the next several days.

For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.