The Nevada Division of Forestry, in cooperation with the University of Nevada, Reno, will be conducting a prescribed burn in the Whittell Forest, located on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada in Little Valley, about three miles west of Washoe Lake and 2 1/2 miles east of Lake Tahoe. The burn operation will begin Monday and is expected to continue for four or five days.
The purpose of this burn is to protect meadow ecosystems by removing conifer encroachment and a heavy layer of matted grass. This will create healthy stands in forested areas and form a shaded fuel break to help protect structures on the west end of Washoe Valley from the threat of wildland fire.
NDF also is preparing for the fall and winter prescribed burning and pile burning season. Weather and fuel conditions are entering optimal ranges where safe burning can be conducted to maximize benefits to natural resource values and minimize impacts to the public. Projects are being conducted statewide and are directly related to forest management or hazardous fuel reduction projects.