Prescribed burning continues this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Staff report
March 26, 2008

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High humidity and steady wind have made for favorable condition for prescribed fire pile burning operations today in the Kingsbury and Cave Rock areas, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Improved wind conditions and cold weather will reduce smoke in the area significantly, said Rex Norman, spokesman for the Forest Service.

The agency fielded a few complaints Monday due to the smoke, which lingered in the basin because the wind wasn’t strong enough to move it out, Norman added.

On The Web

To learn more about the efforts to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks in the Lake Tahoe Basin, visit: www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/documents/fuel-reduction-projects/10-year-plan/LTBCFP_Public_Presentation_8_3.pdf To view maps that described current prescribed fire project locations, visit: www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/fire/index.shtml

Piles are secured from speading flames
Any risk for the spread of fire from wind is nominal because snow is already on the ground and the areas around the piles of dead timber are secured, Norman said.

“The fire piles that are burning have been treated already to reduce the chance of fire spread on the forest floor,” Norman said.

“In the summer months, when the humidity level is low we would avoid doing any burning because it is too dangerous in those conditions,” Norman added.

Work is expected to continue in the Kingsbury area until at least Thursday, he said.

Residents and travelers can expect to see smoke from prescribed fire project areas. Other agencies, local and state, may also be conducting prescribed fire work during this time.

The prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce wildfire risks to communities and critical resources, Norman said. Smoke management is part of every prescribed fire burn plan, and efforts will be taken to reduce actual or potential smoke impacts on community areas.