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The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF), in cooperation with the University of Nevada, Reno, is conducting a prescribed burn in Little valley in the Whittell Forest, located on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada in Little Valley, about three miles west of Washoe Lake and 2 1/2 miles east of Lake Tahoe.
Smoke is visible in Carson City today.
The burn operation began Tueday and is expected to continue for three or four days.
Resources include: Approximately 110 personnel, three hand crews, 4 engines, 1 tender and NDF Helicopter 405.
The purpose of this burn is to use accepted forest management techniques to protect important meadow ecosystems by removing conifer encroachment and a heavy layer of matted grass. This will create healthy stands in forested areas and form a shaded fuel break to help protect structures on the west end of Washoe Valley from the threat of wildland fire.
NDF is also preparing for the fall and winter prescribed burning and pile burning season. Weather and fuel conditions are entering optimal ranges where safe burning can be conducted to maximize benefits to natural resource values and minimize impacts to the public. Projects are being conducted statewide and are directly related to forest management or hazardous fuel reduction projects.
This fall the Division and cooperators have three prescribed broadcast burns planned. In addition to the Little Valley project (249 acres), burns are also planned at Spooner Meadow (49 acres), and York (294 acres). The Division also has multiple slash pile burn projects statewide this fall/winter. These projects range from five to 100 acres in size.
The Division has two additional prescribed burns proposed in the Ely, Nevada area in early next spring 2017. All prescribed burns and pile burning are coordinated with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and appropriate County Air Quality Management personnel to help minimize smoke impacts. All burning will take place under carefully monitored fuels and weather conditions and with qualified staff in accordance with a plan approved by Nevada Division of Forestry.
Anyone with questions can call 775-849-2500 ext. 252
