Pile burning ongoing along base of the Sierra

Federal and state agencies are burning slash piles along the base of the Carson Range this week.

Firefighters for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest conducted pile burning above Centennial in Genoa on Wednesday and Thursday as they clear piles cut last fall.

The Bureau of Land Management Carson City District is scheduled to begin burning slash piles today that were generated from a 11-acre fuels reduction project off Foothill Road near Faye-Luther Trailhead in Alpine County.

The burns are planned in an area where brush and trees have recently been thinned to reduce accumulations of fuels that can threaten homes and other buildings during a wildfire.

“In the event of a wildfire, reducing the fuel leads to less intense fires in the treated area that firefighters have a higher probability of containing.,” said Carson City District Fire Management Officer Jonathan Palma.

The Nevada Division of Forestry began burning operations in the Clear Creek drainage on Tuesday.
Operations will continue over the winter season to reduce hazardous fuels and reduce the risk and impact of future wildfires, the release said.

Smoke may be visible from Highway 50.
“Winter is the ideal time to burn piles when wet and snowy conditions allow land managers to achieve multiple prescribed fire objectives, reduced wildfire smoke emissions, reduced wildfire risk, and improved forest health and resiliency,” officials said.
Smoke may be noticeable during ignition.

To learn more about wildfire mitigation around your home visit www.livingwithfire.com.