In 2022, Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT) received grant funding from Yuba Water Agency to design and implement the Forest and Meadow Health Enhancement Project along the Yuba Rim Trail located in our fee title property, Rice’s Crossing Preserve in Yuba County. The primary goals for this Project are improved forest, watershed, and wildlife habitat viability, while concurrently reducing surface fuel loadings and ladder fuels to a level that will allow safe fire suppression in case of wildfire. Fuel reduction measures were completed in 2024; with the prescribed burn within the two-acre meadow concluding the Project’s goals.
Partnering with Burn Boss Torchbearr, the Washington Ridge Crew, and numerous volunteers, BYLT has prepared the site for burning and set the date for Saturday, June 7, 2025. As with all burns of this nature, implementing the burn on the designated date is pending a favorable weather window, burn permits, and a successful test fire. Ignition is expected to start around 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 7, with smoke likely visible from Camptonville, Dobbins, New Bullard’s Bar Reservoir, and North San Juan.
The smoke is not expected to have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, though short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected along Marysville Road and adjacent roads. 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 entire operation, as well as will be on site with volunteers for several days after the burn. Area residents and visitors sensitive to smoke may want to be prepared for potential smoke impacts and take measures to reduce exposure.
We would like to thank the Air Quality District, CALFIRE, Tribes, and the local volunteer groups for all their support in making this burn possible.