Amador County - The Eldorado National Forest is planning to continue with the Cat Anderson Prescribed Burn north of Highway 88 this week in the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River area. The burn caused some alarm recently when unexpected wind patterns shifted huge billows of smoke into the Plymouth area, creating a hazy fog. Approximately 300 acres were scheduled to be control burned on Wednesday and another 200 acres on Thursday. “Fire is a natural part of the ecosystem,” said Jennifer Boyd, Fuels Specialist. “Prescribed burning allows us to reintroduce it back into the forest under carefully controlled conditions after 100 years of fire suppression resulting in a healthier and safer forest,” she added. Smoke management is part of every prescribed fire burn plan, and efforts will be taken to reduce actual or potential smoke impacts on community areas. Be advised that Sierra Pacific Industries is also conducting prescribed fire operations on their private timber lands during this period. For more information on the Fuels Projects on national forest land planned for this fall and winter visit our website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado. To be added to the smoke notification list contact Jennifer Boyd, Forest Fuels Specialist, at 530- 622-5061. Staff Report (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).