More prescribed burning in Butterfly Valley today
The Plumas National Forest is continuing its prescribed burning operations in Butterfly Valley on the Mount Hough Ranger District near Quincy today June 28. The goal is to ignite approximately 118 acres in Butterfly Valley which started this morning.
Yesterday approximately 31 acres were treated in the project area, with excellent fire effects. Firefighters have done mop up 10 feet into the perimeter from yesterday’s work. Mop up and patrols will continue through the holiday weekend.
Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Quincy, Meadow Valley and the surrounding area, including the Feather River Canyon. Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected to continue California Highways 70 and 89, and neighboring forest roads.
On the Beckwourth Ranger District, firefighters successfully treated approximately 50 acres on the Big Hill Project near Cromberg. They will be working on mop up and patrolling the area for the next week. Smoke is expected to continue to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Cromberg, Sloat, Greenhorn Ranch, and the surrounding area.
Firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District successfully treated 36 acres west of Wyandotte Campground near Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area. This fuel reduction is critical for community protection, including nearby homes, as well as public safety in the recreation area. Firefighters are continuing to work on mop up and patrol to be able to hopefully open some of the recreation sites this weekend. Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including La Porte and the surrounding area. Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles. There will also be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area, particularly in the morning and evening hours. Drivers in the area should use caution.
“We appreciate the patience, understanding and cooperation from local residents and visitors over the past several weeks as we have worked on prescribed burning across the Forest,” said Plumas National Forest Deputy Fire Management Officer Marty Senter. “Our local firefighters, along with firefighters from other national forests and contract resources, are committed to getting as much of this critical fuel reduction work as we can to protect our communities when conditions allow us to do it safely.”
With conditions warming up and drying out, the shift from prescribed fire conditions to the risk of wildfire is increasing. The public is asked to use caution with anything that can spark a wildfire and are reminded that fireworks are not allowed on public lands, including the Plumas National Forest.
“The July Fourth holiday weekend for many of us is loaded with community events, camping trips, fishing at the lakes and other activities on or near the Forest,” Senter said. “We want everyone to have a happy and safe holiday weekend, which means helping us prevent human-caused wildfires, not bringing fireworks into the Forest – including sparklers and poppers – and making sure campfires are completely out before leaving.”
Numerous firefighting resources are on the Forest right now to support prescribed burning operations while ensuring there is coverage for initial attack and mutual aid response.
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 the operation.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
