LTBMU: Lake Tahoe Prescribed fire operations resume near Luther Pass. #CaFire

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

LTBMU: Lake Tahoe Prescribed fire operations resume near Luther Pass. #CaFire

U.S. Forest Service

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU)

Prescribed fire operations resume near Luther Pass

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will resume prescribed fire operations at Luther Pass (Luther Pass, Eldorado National Forest)near South Lake Tahoe on Monday, January 6, 2014. Operations will continue as conditions allow.

Fall and winter bring rain, snow and cooler temperatures, which are ideal for prescribed fire operations. All prescribed fire projects are conducted in accordance with an approved prescribed fire burn plan. Burn plans describe specific conditions under which operations are conducted including the weather, number of personnel, and opportunities to minimize smoke impacts. This information is used to decide when and where to burn.

Smoke from prescribed fire may continue for several days after the initial ignition. Smoke that settles in low lying areas in the morning usually lifts out of the area during normal daytime heating. All prescribed fires are monitored regularly for burning and smoke dispersal and action is taken to mitigate concerns as they arise. The Forest Service makes every effort to conduct prescribed fire operations during weather patterns that carry smoke away from communities. Smoke-sensitive residents should consider staying indoors and keeping doors, windows and outside vents closed.

Forest Service staff will post road signs around the areas affected by the prescribed fire, send email notifications, and update the local fire information line at 530-543-2600, #6.

This summer’s wildfires serve as a reminder of the importance of fuels reduction and that smoke produced during a prescribed fire is less intense and of shorter duration than that of a wildfire. For more information on prescribed fire and smoke management tips, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/RxFireOps.

More Information:

Lisa Herron

Public Affairs Specialist

U.S. Forest Service

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

35 College Drive

South Lake Tahoe CA 96150

(530) 543-2815

laherron@fs.fed.us

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CFN - California Fire News 2013

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CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Tuesday, January 7, 2014