Rain Not Hampering Controlled Burn Near Lake Skinner

FRENCH VALLEY, CA — A controlled burn slated to begin Wednesday was underway near Lake Skinner, despite a winter storm that's producing rain.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson Tawny Cabral confirmed the burn was proceeding as scheduled.

The operation is taking place Wednesday and Thursday to clear excess vegetation just west of Lake Skinner in the French Valley area.

Firefighters are conducting a pile burning operation on five acres of land northeast of Auld and Borel roads within the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, which advises residents and motorists not to be alarmed by the smoke.

The operation is planned from about 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days.

"The pile burning operation is a part of a pre-fire plan to keep a major fire from moving onto the reserve," according to a fire department statement. " In addition, the fuel-modified zone will better enable the fire department to keep fires that might start in the reserve from advancing into surrounding communities."

The reserve comprises about 14,000 acres near both Lake Skinner and Diamond Valley Lake. It is home to about 31 sensitive bird, animal and plant species.

Fire officials said smoke will be visible but will quickly dissipate.

Anyone with questions or concerns was asked to contact the county fire public information bureau at 951-940-6985.

The winter storm is bringing showers and a chance of thunderstorms to Riverside County Wednesday through Friday — with a winter storm warning in effect for the mountains through 10 p.m. Thursday, bringing a forecast of heavy snow.

The National Weather Service warned of possible snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches in the mountains between 3,000 and 4,000 feet; 6 to 12 inches between 4,000 and 5,000 feet; and 12 to 20 inches above 5,000 feet. In addition, local amounts of between 24 and 28 inches are possible for favored locations, primarily above 6,000 feet, the NWS said.

The heaviest snow expected on Wednesday, the NWS said.

"Significant travel impacts are possible for major mountain passes, including Cajon Pass and I-8," the weather service said. "Areas of dense fog will significantly reduce visibility at times, making travel more hazardous. Locally strong west winds with gusts 35 to 50 mph may impact some mountain areas. The combination of heavy snow and gusty winds may result in some downed tree limbs and power outages."

For lower-elevation areas, rain is in the forecast through Friday, tapering off Friday night.

"Rain will become likely across all but southern and eastern L.A. County by late Tuesday night, where there will be a chance of rain, then rain is expected across the region Wednesday," according to the NWS.

Forecasters said the rain will be heavy at times on Wednesday.

"Rainfall totals are generally expected to average one-half to one inch, except locally 1.5 inches or possibly higher in the foothills and mountains below the snow level," according to the NWS.

Dry weather is expected to return by Friday night and continue through the weekend.

—City News Service contributed to this report.