The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin the fall-winter prescribed fire program Sept. 30.

The first operation will take place near Pioneer Trail and Al Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. Approximately 9 acres will be burned in one or two days.

Fall and winter bring cooler temperatures and precipitation, which are ideal for prescribed burning. Each 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. The Forest Service tries to give as much advance notice as possible before burning, but some operations may be conducted on short notice.

Smoke from prescribed fire operations is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size. The Forest Service staff coordinates with state and local county air pollution control districts and monitor weather conditions closely prior to prescribed fire ignition.

Before prescribed fire operations are conducted, Forest Service staff post road signs around areas affected by prescribed fire, send email notifications and update the local fire information line at (530) 543.2600, No. 6. To receive prescribed fire notifications, send an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.