UPDATE - 02:08 p.m.:
Thursday afternoon, firefighters on the Plumas National Forest successfully completed prescribed burning operations on the final 10-acre unit just south of Paradise Lake, directly across from the area treated the previous day.
The operation involved both pile burning and underburning and was part of a broader effort near Magalia to reduce hazardous forest fuels.
Ignitions began earlier this morning and were carried out slowly and carefully to ensure safety and meet prescribed burn objectives.
Crews are now focused on mop-up and securing the area. No issues occurred overnight in the previously treated unit, and conditions today remained favorable throughout the operation.
Smoke dispersal was good during the burn, though smoke was visible from Magalia, Paradise, Chico, and the Sacramento Valley this afternoon.
Light overnight smoke had settled in Magalia but cleared early in the day.
Similar brief smoke impacts may occur tonight and tomorrow morning, but are expected to improve by late morning.
Area residents and visitors, especially those sensitive to smoke, are advised to continue monitoring conditions and take steps to limit exposure as needed.
ORIGINAL STORY - 08:28 a.m.:
Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District have completed a multi-day prescribed burning operation northeast of Paradise Lake and near Magalia.
The effort, which focused on reducing hazardous forest fuels, involved both pile burning and underburning across two areas.
Over the course of the operation, approximately 40 acres were treated near Green Ridge Place and Brezo Way, followed by an additional 10 acres directly across Paradise Lake on National Forest System lands east of Skyway.
Initial ignitions began in the morning, with operations continuing through the following days, depending on weather conditions.
Fire officials reported that conditions were within prescription and that the burns achieved the desired fire behavior and fuel reduction goals.
“Fire effects were excellent, smoke dispersal was good and everything went as planned,” said Feather River District Fire Management Officer James Lico.
Smoke was visible from Magalia, Paradise, Chico, and the Sacramento Valley throughout the operation.
It was especially noticeable during the daytime but became less visible in the late afternoon and evening due to cloud cover.
Fire personnel monitored and patrolled the treated areas overnight.
Residents in nearby areas reported seeing a glow from the prescribed burns after dark.
There was a possibility of short-term smoke impacts during nighttime and early morning hours, particularly affecting visibility on Upper Skyway, Coutolenc Road, Hupp Coutolenc Road, and adjacent forest roads.
On Thursday, the final day of the operation, crews will begin work on the smaller, 10-acre unit east of Skyway.
Lico noted the complexity of this portion, stating, “The 10 acres planned Thursday are complex and we want to make sure we are doing it right.” He added, “We have more than 70 firefighters assigned to this prescribed burning operation this week to ensure that is happening, with public and firefighter safety coming first as we work on this critical fuel reduction.”
Personnel from multiple agencies supported these operations, including the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Lassen, Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity, Six Rivers, and Tahoe National Forests; Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office; CAL FIRE Butte County Fire Department; and Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression, Inc.
While the prescribed burn areas were limited in size, smoke from the operations was expected to remain visible from surrounding communities, including Magalia, Paradise, Chico, and the Sacramento Valley.
Drivers in the vicinity of the burn areas were advised to watch for increased fire equipment traffic and potential delays, with fire vehicles entering and exiting roadways over the course of several days.
Recreational use at Paradise Lake remained open, though short-term smoke impacts were possible.
Hikers using nearby trails were urged to stay alert due to activity occurring above some of the trail sections.
“We appreciate the patience, understanding and cooperation of area residents, especially with the increased firefighting equipment traffic around neighborhoods and short term smoke impacts,” Lico said. “There is urgency to get this work done for community protection and the past several weeks have helped us make great progress.”
