Controlled Burns Resume Across Plumas National Forest Ranger Districts

This week, controlled burns will be conducted in the Plumas National Forest within the Beckwourth, Mount Hough, and Feather River Ranger Districts. Firefighters plan to burn piles on over 500 acres of forest land. Operations aim to reduce hazardous fuels and protect nearby communities from wildfire threats.

In the Beckwourth Ranger District, crews will resume pile burning in Mohawk Valley, west-southwest of Graeagle and west of Plumas Pines. They intend to treat approximately 170 acres total, with ignitions scheduled through Friday, December 5, as weather and fuel conditions permit. Smoke should remain visible in the vicinity without causing major long-term effects on communities such as Mohawk, Johnsville, Plumas Pines, Graeagle, and Blairsden. Westbound drivers on California State Highway 70 may encounter smoke, along with heightened firefighting traffic on Highways 70 and 89, especially during morning and evening commutes. Motorists are urged to drive cautiously and anticipate possible delays as equipment enters and exits roadways.

On the Feather River Ranger District, firefighters will ignite hand piles at two sites: the Lucretia Unit near Paradise Lake in Magalia and the Hollywood Unit off Skyway and Hollywood Drive. Initial efforts focus on about 40 acres in Lucretia, potentially shifting to 17 acres in Hollywood if conditions allow, with burns continuing through Thursday, December 4. These actions build on last spring’s prescribed fires to mitigate risks in areas scarred by the 2018 Camp Fire, enhancing protection for Magalia, Paradise, and surrounding neighborhoods. Separately, crews will address piles in the Dry Creek area near Challenge, at the intersection of Oregon Hill and Dry Creek roads, targeting 10 to 20 acres daily from a larger unit exceeding 200 acres. The work supports community safety in Challenge, which faced evacuation during the 2020 North Complex Fire, while minimizing disruptions to residents and a nearby school.

Mount Hough Ranger District personnel will conduct burns around the district office and adjacent areas near Quincy. Ignitions on roughly 42 acres of piles are set to begin today and extend through Friday, December 5, with limited daily activity to curb smoke drift. Visibility could dip briefly on Highways 70 and 89, particularly in early mornings and late evenings when smoke settles. Officials emphasize ongoing monitoring for wind shifts or other changes that might pause operations until safer windows return.

Across all sites, smoke impacts are projected to be short-lived and localized. However, sensitive individuals at lower elevations, such as Challenge and Magalia, should monitor air quality and prepare accordingly. Recreationists and travelers through these zones are advised to stay alert for reduced visibility, active crews near roads, and extra vehicle movement. For updates on the Plumas National Forest and controlled burn information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.