California State Parks will begin prescribed fire operations this week near Tahoe City. Operations will take place in Burton Creek State Park beginning Oct. 15 and will continue over the next several weeks as conditions allow.

Fall and winter bring cooler temperatures and precipitation, which favor prescribed burning.  Each prescribed fire operation follows a prescribed fire burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke.  This information is used to decide when and where to burn.

Smoke from prescribed fire operations is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size and environmental conditions.

Before prescribed fire operations are conducted, agencies post road signs around areas affected by prescribed fire, send email notifications and update the local fire information line at 530.543.2816.