Tahoe National Forest is planning to begin ignitions on up to 197 acres near Calpine on Nov. 7. Ignitions may continue over multiple days, conditions permitting.
Smoke will be highly visible from Highways 89, 49 and 70, as well as the communities of Sierraville, Loyalton, Calpine, Chilcoot and Vinton.
Smoke is forecasted to move northeast through the Sierra Valley and into northern Nevada. Smoke conditions will be monitored closely to minimize impacts to the communities. Settling of smoke overnight into valleys and low- lying areas should be expected.
Project: Valley West Underburn
Type of burn: Underburn
Total acreage possible: 197
Ignition dates: Nov. 7-8, conditions permitting (additional ignitions early next week possible)
Why Are We Burning?
The goal of this prescribed burn is to decrease the existing fire hazard and to prevent and reduce the impact of future fires in the area. Other benefits include enhancing wildlife habitat and reintroducing fire into a fire-adapted ecosystem.
Why Now?
Current conditions allow for prescribed burning. Each prescribed fire operation follows a prescribed fire burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke. This information is used to decide when and where to burn. The Tahoe National Forest strives to give as much advance notice as possible before burning, but some operations may be conducted on short notice.
Smoke
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 coordinates with state and local county air pollution control districts and monitors weather conditions closely prior to prescribed fire ignition. Crews also conduct test burns before igniting a larger area, to verify how effectively fuels are consumed and how smoke will travel.