Pile burning on Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District tomorrow

LA PORTE, Calif., December 1, 2025 — Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest Feather River Ranger District plan to conduct pile burning operations on hand piles at two locations starting tomorrow, with ignitions planned through Thursday, conditions permitting.

After successful prescribed burning operations in the area last spring, firefighters are returning to Magalia this week to continue critical fuel reduction work with pile burning operations on approximately 180 acres. 

They plan to start with approximately 40 acres of piles in the Lucretia Unit located at Paradise Lake.  If conditions are favorable, they may shift to start ignitions on approximately 17 acres of piles in the Hollywood Unit located off the Skyway and Hollywood Drive.  The piles are located on National Forest System lands behind the residences. 

These operations are part of ongoing fuel reduction in areas affected or threatened by the 2018 Camp Fire and to help with community protection for Magalia, Paradise and the surrounding area.

Firefighters also plan to work on pile burning near the community of Challenge in the Dry Creek area located near the intersection of Oregon Hill and Dry Creek roads. 

There are more than 200 acres of piles in the unit being treated.  However, firefighters plan to ignite 10 to 20 acres per day this week depending on fuel moisture and weather.  Firefighters will be working to reduce impacts to area residents and the nearby school.

The operations are part of ongoing fuel reduction to protect the community of Challenge and the surrounding area.  The community was evacuated and the area was threatened by the 2020 North Complex.

Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Challenge, Magalia and Paradise, as well as the Skyway, Coutolenc Road, La Porte Road and the surrounding area.  

Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected along Oregon Hill and Dry Creek roads and neighboring forest roads.  Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles.

During the evening smoke may settle in lower areas including Challenge and Magalia.  Individuals who are smoke sensitive in these areas are advised to monitor conditions and take precautions if needed.

There will also be increased firefighting equipment traffic in the area.  Drivers in the area should use caution, watch for fire equipment exiting and entering area roadways, and possible slow traffic.

Area residents and visitors planning to recreate in or travel through the area are asked to be aware of their surroundings, be prepared for possible short-term smoke and reduced visibility, and to watch for vehicle traffic and firefighters working near roads.

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 the operation.

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. 

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