November 4, 2018 – The Yuba River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest is planning a prescribed burn (controlled underburning) of 200 acres beginning Sunday, November 4th near the communities of Alleghany and Forest City, along Henness Pass Road. This prescribed burn unit is a continuation to the previous prescribed burning done in this area.
We are planning to have active ignitions till Tuesday November 6th.
The ignition of this prescribed fire unit will only take place as long as weather parameters, fuel conditions, and smoke dispersal remains favorable and within the parameters of the prescribed fire plan. Weather forecasts this week predict that the area will stay dry, with a chance of precipitation later next week. High pressure may set up over the area later this week causing less smoke dispersion, but for Wednesday, the smoke dispersion is looking favorable.
After the controlled underburn is completed, the area will be patrolled and monitored daily. Patrolling and monitoring is part of the prescribed fire plan. Patrolling and monitoring a prescribed burn after initial ignition will be carried out by qualified wildland fire fighters. Monitoring and patrolling will continue until significant precipitation has occurred that ensures all logs and other fuel sources are fully extinguished.
The Sierra Nevada Mountains are a fire dependent ecosystem. The presence of fire has sculpted and influenced the structure and growth of Sierra Nevada Forests for hundreds of years. Today, the risk of large, catastrophic wildfires has grown due rising temperatures, drought, forest disease, and the historic suppression of wildfires which has resulted in the buildup of forest fuels. When prescribed fires are successfully planned and implemented, the threat of large, catastrophic wildfires to our forests and adjacent communities is greatly reduced.
Fire apparatus and personnel will be on-site and smoke may be visible from Highway 49.
Please drive with extra caution when traveling through this area.
Contact the District Office in Camptonville at 530-288-3231 with any questions.