AUBURN, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation, in cooperation with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will conduct a series of prescribed pile burning operations on Reclamation lands within the Auburn Lake Trails Shaded Fuel Break adjacent to the community of Auburn Lake Trails in El Dorado County.
The purpose of the pile burning is to dispose of piled vegetation debris generated in 2023 by handcrews during the initial construction of the Auburn Lake Trails Shaded Fuel Break. Approximately 100 burn piles spread across 66 acres across the trails, adjacent to Secret Lake Trail Road, will take place.
Weather conditions permitting, the pile burning is scheduled on the following days:
- May 19
- May 21-23
- May 27
Reclamation will provide updates if any changes occur. No road closures are planned for the pile burning operations.
Reclamation and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will monitor the piles and smoke generated by the burn. Smoke is likely during and after the prescribed burns. During the burning periods, smoke may be visible in El Dorado and Placer counties. Residents adjacent to the project area are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed during burn periods.
While smoke, flames, and glowing embers are often visible and are a normal part of pile burning operations, please call 911 and request a “smoke check” if you see flames or heavy smoke after 8:00 p.m.
For additional information, contact John Hutchings with the Bureau of Reclamation at jhutchings@usbr.gov or 916-540-6350 (TTY 800-877-8339).
