Pile burning begins near Indian Creek Reservoir

Federal firefighters will be burning 45 piles of woody debris on 12 acres at Indian Creek Recreation Area in Alpine County through the end of April.

The area was burned in the 2021 Tamarack wildfire, and a number of trees killed by the fire were recently cut and removed to improve safety for the Curtz Lake Interpretive Trail and other recreation in the area, according to the Bureau of Land Management Carson City District. While the majority of the cut trees were removed, branches and smaller material were piled for later burning.

“By removing these piles of woody debris BLM seeks to enhance Curtz Lake shoreline recreational opportunities, and help facilitate upcoming tree planting efforts,” said Acting Fire Management Officer Billy Britt.

The pile burning will happen this winter or spring, between mid-February and the end of April, when the burn area is covered in snow.

Residents may notice smoke visible in the area, but smoke should dissipate quickly due to the relatively small amount of material to be burned.

For more information, call Carson City District at 775-885-6000.

Burning will also continue on either side of Kingsbury Grade and at Lake Tahoe near Spooner Summit, according to the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team.

Tahoe-Douglas Fire District’s Zephyr Crew has been conducting pile burns over the last month. Smoke should be expected along the Carson Range.