The U.S. Forest Service is planning a 100-acre wildfire protection project at Upper Echo Lakes in El Dorado County.

The project includes tree thinning and surface fuels-reduction efforts to reduce the risk of wildfire and improve firefighting effectiveness, according to a news release from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

A portion of the project is in the Pyramid roadless area.

Brief closures of areas adjacent to the Pacific Crest Trail may occur to ensure public safety while the project is implemented.

Resource protection measures are planned to maintain the scenic nature of the trail.

Work would begin next summer and might take up to six years to complete, depending on funding and availability of burn days.

The project has a 45-day decision appeal period.

More information is available by calling Brian Garrett at (530) 543-2694 or visiting www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/UpperEchoLakesFuelsReduction.