Pile Burning Planned This Week Near Janesville Grade

JANESVILLE — Firefighters are planning to conduct pile burning operations this week on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District on the Bootsole Project located near the top of the Janesville Grade, conditions permitting.

Approximately 200 acres of piles are planned for treatment with ignitions expected to start Tuesday and continue through Friday, April 4. If conditions remain favorable and good progress is made, ignitions may continue to treat additional piles in the 495-acre Bootsole Project area.

Firefighters from the Plumas National Forest and CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc Unit will work together on burning operations on the hand piles constructed by the Lassen County Fire Safe Council.

Smoke is expected to be visible from U.S. Highway 395 between Susanville and Herlong Junction, including the communities of Janesville, Milford and the surrounding area, but is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities.

Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected along Janesville Grade 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 be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area. Drivers should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways and possible slow traffic. This includes beginning and end of day at the intersection with U.S. Highway 395 and Janesville Grade.

The Bootsole Project is part of critical fuel reduction in the green forest between the Dixie Fire and Beckwourth Complex burn scars. Work in this project area helps protect residences and local communities, including Janesville and Milford.

“Forest fuels reduction is important for area residents in Lassen County and it’s great to have the combination of favorable conditions and resources available to get this work done above Janesville,” said Acting Plumas National Forest Fire Management Officer Martin Senter. “We appreciate CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc Unit for providing firefighters and resources to help us have a successful operation and help community protection efforts on this project.”

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 entire operation.

For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. For more information on CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc Unit, please visit www.fire.ca.gov or www.facebook.com/CALFIRELMU/.