California State Parks plans to conduct prescribed burns at Wilder Ranch State Park between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. through the end of the month. Monitoring and patrol will occur during burns and extend into the evening when required. All burning is dependent on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal and to meet ecological goals. If conditions are not conducive for burning, burns will be rescheduled.
Roughly 400 acres of grassland habitats will be included in the prescribed burns and some trails may be closed temporarily to ensure public safety. These may include portions of the Chinquapin Trail, Long Meadow Trail and Englesman Loop Trail.
People around the Monterey Bay area, as well as those driving on Highway 1, may see smoke on the day of the burns. These controlled fires are part of the prescribed fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel reduction, wildlife habitat improvement and other ecological benefits. Treatments enhance the health of the forest by removing fuel buildup and restoring essential nutrients to the soil while reducing the chances of catastrophic wildfires. These burns are permitted, planned, and coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities.
State Parks says that prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires. Should the public see or smell smoke in their surroundings, officials recommend avoiding strenuous outdoor activity and remaining indoors as much as possible. These precautions are especially important for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory and heart conditions.
Call the Santa Cruz District prescribed burns hotline at 831-216-6459 or email [email protected] for information.
