Foresthill, Calif., May 17, 2021 – The U.S. Forest Service in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy is planning a series of prescribed fires beginning on Monday, May 17, 2021 adjacent to French Meadows Reservoir approximately 36 miles northeast of the town of Foresthill, CA.
Fire Management personnel intend to burn Units 19.1, 19.6 A and B, and 19.7. Please see the highlighted area on the attached map for specific prescribed fire unit locations. Additionally, Units 19.6 C and D may also be burned if conditions are meeting resource objectives. Ignitions may occur over several days or up two weeks depending on environmental conditions. In total, over 650 acres of prescribed fire are planned for ignition.
Smoke from prescribed fire operations is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size and environmental conditions. Smoke may settle into the valleys in the evening and lift in the morning.
The Tahoe National Forest has collaborated with the Placer County Air Pollution Control District while planning this project and other prescribed fires within the Foresthill area.
Motorist are advised to drive with caution and are asked to watch out for firefighters and fire equipment near the Red Star Ridge and French Meadows areas.
Traffic controls will be implemented along Forest Service Road-96 between the Soda Springs Road and Forest Service Road-51 near Talbot Campground.
The goal of this prescribed burn is to decrease the existing fire hazard and to prevent and reduce the impact of future fire in the French Meadows water shed. Other benefits include enhancing wildlife habitat and reintroducing low-intensity fire into a fire-adapted ecosystem.