Prescribed burns planned on North Coast this week
Burnings aim to reduce fuel loads, reduce fire hazards, enhance the health of native plant communities
– California State Parks will conduct prescribed burnings at Montaña de Oro State Park, Morro Bay State Park, Estero Bluffs State Park, and Hearst San Simeon State Park between March 4 and April 11.
The burnings, which will occur Tuesdays through Thursdays, will be determined by weather and permit conditions. Ignitions may begin as early as 7 a.m., with fire activity expected to be limited by approximately 5 p.m.
Montaña de Oro State Park will see burn sites that include approximately 400 brush piles and the duff layer between Horse Camp and Hazard Canyon along Pecho Valley Road. Other burn sites include around 50 piles near E Camps 1 and 2, 50 piles on Butte Drive, and 10 piles on Sea Wind Way.
At Morro Bay State Park, approximately 200 brush piles will be burned in the Black Hill area, and 50 piles will be cleared between Upper State Park Road and Park View Drive in the Powerline Trail area.
In Estero Bluffs State Park, approximately 10 piles will be burned on the west bank of San Geronimo Creek.
At Hearst San Simeon State Park, around 50 piles will be burned in the Monterey pine forest near the San Simeon Loop Trail off Highway 1.
The prescribed burnings aim to reduce fuel loads, reduce fire hazards, enhance the health of native plant communities, and aid in controlling non-native, weedy species.
California State Parks, in cooperation with Cal Fire and the Air Pollution Control District, will carry out the burnings.
