Press Release by USFS
February 14, 2024
QUINCY — After a break due to wet conditions, firefighters on the Plumas National Forest are once again working on pile burning in the area this week. Tuesday, the Mount Hough Ranger District did a small pile burning operation near the Ranger District Office to support a research project. Work on the project is expected to have continued on Wednesday. Firefighters are also planning to treat approximately 10 acres of pile burning in Butterfly Valley this week, with ignitions possible through Friday. On the Feather River Ranger District, firefighters are planning to ignite approximately 50 acres of piles near the community of Challenge, conditions permitting. Ignitions are expected to take place this morning ahead of rain in the evening. This treatment is part of the Pike Integrated Resource Service Contract (IRSC), which is the first project implemented using funding for the Plumas Community Protection Wildfire Crisis Landscape. The Landscape was designated in January 2023 and work on Pike IRSC began in August. Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Butterfly Valley, Quincy and Challenge. Short duration, minor smoke impacts are possible on California State Highways 70 and 89, La Porte Road and on neighboring forest roads. Firefighters will be closely monitoring smoke impacts and will implement traffic controls if needed. Drivers in the area are asked to use caution, watch for increased firefighter traffic in these areas and be prepared for reduced visibility due to smoke, especially in the early morning and at night as smoke settles. 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 and will continue to patrol as needed. Since the beginning of the year, pile burning has been successfully completed across the Plumas National Forest, with progress made near Frenchman Lake, in the Lakes Basin area, in Butterfly Valley, near Bucks Lake, in the Moonlight Area near Antelope Lake, in Genesee Valley, in the Brush Creek area and near Forbestown. Conditions have been favorable, generally with the right mix of rain and snow to treat hand-piles and larger machine-piles safely. “The work being accomplished with pile burning this winter is a critical part of fuel reduction and post-fire forest recovery,” said Forest Fuels and Prescribed Fire Program Manager Ryan Bauer. “Whether it is for community protection on our Wildfire Crisis Strategy Landscape, treatment in and around popular recreation sites, burning to prepare for tree planting this spring or even supporting research projects, our firefighters and contractors are committed to getting the work done safely and efficiently.” The pile burning has generally been met with support, especially when benefitting community protection objectives. “We appreciate the cooperation, patience and support of our neighbors and visitors while we are conducting pile burning operations across the Forest,” Bauer said. For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.