Forest Service to begin prescribed fires Tuesday at Spooner Summit

Prescribed fires on Spooner Summit east of Lake Tahoe are planned for Tuesday through the end of next week, U.S. Forest Service officials said Friday.
Fuel management crews will burn about 10 acres each day, weather permitting with smoke visible along Highway 50.
Below is a news release and 10-year fire reduction plan from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the U.S. Forest Service.

Prescribed fire operations begin next week on Spooner Summit

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will conduct prescribed fire operations on Spooner Summit beginning Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Crews expect to burn approximately 10 acres per day, weather permitting. Operations will continue through the week as weather and conditions allow.
Residents and visitors can expect to see smoke from this prescribed fire project area. Smoke may be visible on U.S. Highway 50. The Forest Service strives to minimize the impacts of smoke on local communities. Smoke-sensitive residents should consider staying indoors and keeping doors, windows and outside vents closed. To directly receive prescribed fire updates, send an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

Forest Service staff will post road signs around areas affected by prescribed fire, and update the local fire information line at (530) 543-2600, #6. Other federal, state and local fire management agencies may also be conducting prescribed fire work during this period.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu. To learn more about the efforts to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks in the Tahoe Basin read the Lake Tahoe Basin Multi-jurisdictional Fuel Reduction Plan found here.

Take a few moments to visit an excellent web site and learn about Prescribed Fire vs. Wildfire at: www.smokeybear.com/prescribed-fires.asp.