Prepare for smoke as Forest Service plans controlled burns in Carson Ranger District
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 10/28/2013 - 5:04pm
Logs, stumps and limbs piled across 565 acres of public land in eight Carson Ranger District project areas of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will be burned in the coming weeks, the U.S. Forest Service announced Monday.
Residents to the north, south, east and west of Carson City can expect heavy, dense smoke in the pile burn areas that will cause impacts, albeit short term, on air quality levels. Prescribed burn notices have been posted near homes and subdivisions, alerting occupants about the planned prescribed fire operations.
The Forest Service states that air quality levels will comply with state and federal air quality regulations and that the burning will be done when weather conditions would minimize the impact of smoke on communities.
“Pile burning is an efficient way of removing woody debris and forest litter, while providing ecosystem benefits, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire and risk to firefighters in the event of a large-scale fire,” said Steve Howell, Carson Ranger District fuels specialist, in a news release. Benefits of these burns will also improve forest health and wildlife habitat.
Visitors and residents are encouraged to stay out of the areas during the prescribed burning operations and to not go near equipment working near the burn. The eight Carson Ranger District project areas are:
North Washoe: behind the Chocolate Nugget and off Mount Rose Highway to the south of the highway, 5,600 acres, elevation ranges from 5,400 to 7,000 feet, and around 82 acres.
Clear Creek: along the old Clear Creek Highway and Spooner Summit, 12,190 acres, elevation ranges from 5,400 to 7,000 feet, and around 88 acres.
Scotts Lake Fuels Reduction: 82 acres, elevation ranges from 7,100 to 8,000 feet, and around 79 acres.
Peavine Fuels Reduction: 42 acres, elevation ranges from 6,000 to 6,800 feet, and around 41 acres.
Dog Valley: 16,000 acres, elevation ranges from 5,200 to 7,000 feet, and around 38 acres.
Markleeville: 1,200 acres, elevation ranges from 5,500 to 6,500 feet, and around 40 acres.
Arrowhawk: Jones Creek, Whites Creek and Thomas Creek areas, 7,500 acres, elevation ranges from 5,900 to 7,200 feet, and around 187 acres.
Jobs Peak: behind Jobs Peak Ranch Estates, 500 acres, elevation ranges from 5,100 to 5,500 feet, and around 10 acres.
