Prescribed burn in Kirkwood area declared wildfire by Eldorado National Forest
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — A prescribed burn in the high country near Kirkwood, south of Meyers and South Lake Tahoe, was declared a wildfire Thursday afternoon by the Eldorado National Forest.
The announcement came Thursday afternoon at about 1:30 p.m. after fire managers made the decision “due to unfavorable weather conditions and inability to meet previously established objectives,” according to the forest service.
The fire began as a prescribed burn about 10 days ago under favorable conditions following rain and snowstorms, the press release said. It began as pile burning.
Smoke from that burn flowed into the Lake Tahoe area and comments on social media were critical of why the forest service would burn with a wind event forecasted a couple of days later.
The forest service said in the press release, “in anticipation of upcoming strong winds, fire managers begin building a fireline and conducting firing operations to secure the fire perimeter. Unfavorable conditions over the past few days prevented crews from being able to complete the firing operations contributed to the incident being declared a wildfire.”
The burn is part of a larger, multi-year forest restoration project. The goal of the project is to promote a healthy, resilient forest by reintroducing fire to the landscape, said the release.
The public is asked to avoid the area as firefighters and equipment are working to contain the fire.
For more information, visit the incident at inciweb.nwcg.gov/ncident/6622/
The Tahoe Daily Tribune is a sister publication to the Sierra Sun.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.