Pile burning near Johnsville on Plumas National Forest

QUINCY, Calif., November 4, 2025 — Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Beckwourth Ranger District plan to conduct pile burning operations in Mohawk Valley southwest of Graeagle, near Johnsville and Plumas Pines, starting tomorrow, conditions permitting.

Firefighters plan to treat approximately 10 acres of piles total, igniting up to five acres tomorrow and Thursday as weather and conditions allow.

Smoke is expected to be visible in the area but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Mohawk, Johnsville, Plumas Pines, Graeagle, Blairsden and the surrounding areas.  Drivers on westbound California State Highway 70 will likely see smoke.

There will also be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area and traveling on Highways 70 and 89, particularly in the morning and evening hours.  Drivers in the area should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and possible slow traffic.

If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve. Firefighters will be monitoring conditions throughout operations.

For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation.  Grounded in worldclass science and technology and rooted in communities, the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other.  The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological and social vitality.  The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world.  The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.