Unhealthy Air Forecasted on the North Coast this Week Due to Prescribed Burns
According to the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District, seven different controlled burns on the North Coast may cause unhealthy air conditions this week.
Good weather conditions and reduced fire danger have opened potential windows for prescribed burn projects by local government agencies, tribes, and burn cooperative groups. These prescribed burns are possible because these groups have the manpower and equipment necessary to burn safely. The current burn suspension for burning by permit holders will remain until lifted by CALFIRE.
These prescribed fire projects are subject to a special permit (where required) by CALFIRE and must have sufficient fire equipment and personnel to conduct the burn under specific conditions. There are multiple large projects in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties which will be conducted over the next week. Public notification for these projects is a required component for burning.
The prescribed burn projects projected for the coming week are as follows:
- Â Redwood National Park in the Bald Hills area
- USFS in the Orleans, Gasquet and Mad River areas
- CALFIRE in the area southeast of Kneeland and near Weott
- BLM in the Lacks Creek area east of Hoopa tribal boundary
- Mid-Klamath Watershed Council in Orleans and Siskiyou counties
- Cultural Fire Management Council/Yurok Tribe in Weitchpec
- Watershed Research Training Center in Weaverville and Hayfork
Humboldt & Del Norte County
The majority of coastal areas of Humboldt and Del Norte County should see no impacts from these prescribed burn projects and are expected to have “Good†air quality depending on conditions and proximity. Smoke impacts in inland areas adjacent to the burns are forecast to be “Moderate†with possible periods of “USG†or even brief periods of “Unhealthy†depending on conditions and fire proximity.
• Orleans – beginning Wednesday, expect “Moderate†to “USGâ€, with possible brief periods of “Unhealthy†beginning in the late afternoon and overnight depending on proximity to prescribed burn projects.
• Gasquet – beginning Thursday, expect “Good†to “Moderate†with brief periods of “USG†depending on conditions.
Trinity County
The Weaverville basin and Hayfork should see only localized impacts from prescribed burn projects depending on conditions and project size. During the burns air quality is expected to be “Good†to “Moderate†with periods of “USG†in the immediate proximity to the burn projects.
For 24-hour Air Quality Advisory Information, call toll-free at 1-866-BURN-DAY (1-866-287-6329).
