UPDATE - MARCH 25: 

Smoke may increase in south Reno as crews expand a controlled burn for wildfire prevention this week. 

Fire crews are continuing with an understory burn in the Galena Creek area of south Reno today and Friday, weather permitting.

Fire officials say last week’s burn was about 20 acres; this one will likely be about 40 acres, so residents and visitors in the area will likely see smoke in the air over the next few days.

Fire Officials say staging will be in the same place, the Galena Creek Visitor Center, and crews will be monitoring the site through the weekend.

Roads and trails will remain open; however, because of the smoke and all the personnel on scene, officials don’t recommend people using the Jones, Whites Creek trail through the end of the week. Advising that the nearby Thomas Creek trail would be a better alternative.

This work is a continuation of clearing ground debris in a priority area within the wildland urban interface.

ORIGINAL STORY - MARCH 19: 

Crews are conducting several pile burns in the mountains, and if you are headed up the Mt. Rose highway, you may notice smoke and changing visibility over the next few days.

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District will conduct pile burn operations, weather permitting, near Brown’s Creek at 20102 Hibbet Trail Road off Mt. Rose Highway, State Route 431. About 25 piles are scheduled to be ignited starting on Wednesday.

Additional burning is planned at Sky Tavern Ski Area along Bums Gulch Road, where about 30 piles are expected to be ignited on Thursday.

Officials say smoke could remain visible through Friday before crews mop up and declare the burns extinguished.

Drivers along Mt. Rose Highway are being asked to use caution as smoke may limit visibility. People living in the Tannenbaum and Sky Tavern areas could also see smoke impacts, especially if inversions develop after the ignitions.

Crews will monitor the burns throughout the day.

Those sensitive to smoke are advised to stay indoors or limit time outside, keeping windows and doors closed. Officials also ask that people not report the smoke in these areas to dispatch centers, noting the burns are planned and expected to continue through Friday.