The Mount Hough Ranger District ignited test burns Jan. 7 near China Grade Road south of Taylorsville. If successful, ignitions on the 248-acre parcel will continue through Thursday. The work is part of ongoing fuel reduction and community protection efforts in the wildland urban interface.
Under the leadership of officials from the Mount Hough Ranger District, Terra Fuego and Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc., will conduct the ignitions, monitoring and patrol them. Sierra Institute for Community and Environment funded the work in partnership with the Plumas National Forest.
Smoke will be visible from Greenville, Genesee Valley, Indian Valley and Highway 89. Weather experts expect the predicted northeast winds to help with smoke dispersal and to reduce smoke impacts to Taylorsville. For a short time, minor smoke impacts are possible near China Grade Road and neighboring forest roads. Reduced visibility is likely, especially during the early morning and late evening as smoke settles.
In addition, forest officials on the Beckwourth Ranger District resumed a 52-acre burn near Gold Lake Highway that was begun last fall. Work will continue through Jan. 10.
Smoke will be visible from Highway 89, Gold Lake Highway and Mohawk-Chapman Road. Residents in Graeagle, Clio, Blairsden and Mohawk can expect minor impact from smoke, especially near Gold Lake Highway, Mohawk Chapman Road and neighboring forest roads.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, such as increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve. Firefighters will monitor conditions throughout the operations and patrol the area for the several days. There will be increased firefighting equipment and traffic in the burn areas. Officials encourage drivers to use caution, expect slow traffic and watch for fire equipment exiting and entering roadways.
For more information on the North Fork Forest Recovery Project, contact the Sierra Institute at 530-284-1022 or email Vincent Vitale at vvitale@sierrainstitute.us. For more information about the Lakes Basin project, contact Tamara Schmidt at 530-927-8526 or email tamara.schmidt@usda.gov.
Information provided by the Sierra Institute and Plumas National Forest
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