Pile Burning Planned Near Plumas Pines and Quincy
Smoke and nighttime glow expected as crews work near homes and trails.
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PLUMAS COUNTY – The Plumas National Forest plans to burn piles of cut vegetation on about 60 acres near Plumas Pines and 25 acres near Quincy during the week of November 2, weather permitting. Nearby residents and travelers can expect visible smoke, and burning piles near Plumas Pines may glow at night for several days.
On the Beckwourth Ranger District, crews will work in the Mohawk Project area near Plumas Pines, where the piles sit on national forest land close to private homes. Firefighters will secure the treated area before leaving each night, forest Public Affairs Officer Tamara Schmidt said in a November 2 news release.
The Mount Hough Ranger District plans to burn hand piles near the Cascade Trailhead. Trails will remain open, but mountain bikers are asked to slow down and watch for firefighters using the trail to reach the work area. Heavy smoke is possible at times.
Hand piles are branches and other cut vegetation stacked by hand for burning. Removing that material reduces the fuel available to a future wildfire. The work continues the forest’s fall and winter prescribed-burning program, announced in October, with projects planned across all three ranger districts, mostly near communities.
Ignitions could continue through the end of the week as weather and conditions allow. Crews will monitor conditions and stop burning if the weather becomes unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds.
The forest expects visible smoke around Blairsden, Graeagle, and Quincy, as well as along California State Highways 70 and 89, Old Highway, and nearby forest roads. It forecasts brief, minor smoke impacts along those roads, with reduced visibility possible, especially in the early morning and late evening as smoke settles.
Drivers should also expect more firefighting equipment in the project areas. The forest asks motorists to use caution around equipment entering or leaving roads and to watch for slow traffic.
Smoke may collect in lower areas during the evening, including around Old Highway. The forest advises people who are sensitive to smoke to monitor conditions and take precautions as needed. Residents can check the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map for local particle-pollution readings.