Local Prescribed Burns Bring Smoke and Unhealthy Air

PORTOLA — With several prescribed burning operations underway around the area, communities in eastern Plumas and Sierra Counties experienced heavy smoke and poor air quality over the weekend and into Monday.

Smoke was present Monday morning in low-lying areas between Graeagle and Portola in Plumas County, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Portola’s air monitor stood at 122, a level classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” by the EPA. Air monitors in Graeagle and Whitehawk Ranch also indicated diminished air quality. Smoke was also visible in southern Sierra Valley from a prescribed burn near Calpine. Area residents complained of the smoke and poor air quality over the weekend, and Loyalton’s air monitor registered an AQI of 156, ranked as “unhealthy.”

Smoke in the Sierra Valley area came mainly from the Valley West Underburn, a prescribed burn by Tahoe National Forest (TNF) that began Saturday and was planned to cover up to 197 acres near Calpine over several days. TNF Public Information Officer Lauren Faulkenberry said in response to an inquiry that Forest Service personnel coordinate with state and local air control districts prior to conducting prescribed fire ignitions, but that “forecasted winds did not turn out as expected” on Saturday, so that “smoke did not lift out of the Sierra Valley.” Improved weather conditions Sunday allowed operations to resume, she said, and work will probably continue for one or two more days, weather permitting. She said the Forest Service tries to “find a balance…that addresses community concerns while also returning natural fire to the landscape to reduce the risk of larger, unwanted fires and to achieve the ecological benefits of natural fire” and asked residents and visitors for patience during prescribed fire events.

Plumas National Forest (PNF) also began burning operations over the weekend in the Willow Creek area northwest of Delleker. PNF said in a press release issued Sunday evening that 56 acres were treated Sunday and further ignitions were planned for Monday. PNF did not respond immediately to inquiries, but a press release issued Monday evening indicated that another 96 acres were burned that day. Smoke dispersal was reportedly good during daytime Sunday and Monday, but PNF acknowledged that smoke settled in low areas, including Delleker and Portola, Sunday night and Monday morning, with similar behavior expected Monday night into Tuesday morning. Burning will be suspended Tuesday because of unfavorable weather for smoke dispersal, but might resume Wednesday or Thursday, conditions permitting. PNF acknowledged widespread smoke from burns conducted by other organizations and individuals, but described the work on Plumas National Forest as “critical as part of fuel reduction and community protection efforts.”

Air quality improved in Portola and Loyalton by Monday afternoon, but smoke was still visible from the major prescribed burn operations in both areas.

Federal and state agencies and private landowners have carried out or planned numerous prescribed burns in recent weeks with hopes of completing work before winter weather arrives. CalFire’s Lassen-Modoc Unit announced plans to burn 83 acres of private land on the Sierra Nevada Journeys Outdoor Education Camp off Grizzly Road east of Portola beginning Monday; Watch Duty reported ignition at that site had commenced as of Monday morning and smoke was visible in the area Monday afternoon. PNF completed smaller burns last week near Quincy and Graeagle and announced plans for underburns and pile burning on 200 acres near La Porte starting Tuesday.