Santa Cruz District of California State Parks Natural Resource Program Manager Tim Hyland monitors the progress on Monday of the prescribed burn near the observation platform at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. With Cal Fire assisting with the project, crews burned a little more than 6 acres on Monday and the remaining 7 acres in the operation will be ignited in the coming days -- likely on Wednesday. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions favorable for smoke dispersal. Visitors to the affected area near the park's campground will be rerouted to other areas. According to a State Parks press release, the burn, which will be monitored 24 hours a day in the days following the ignition, is part of a long-term strategy to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and to maintain rare ponderosa pine sandhills habitat. This rare habitat type relies on fire to maintain a healthy ecosystem and regenerate sensitive species. The burn is being conducted in accordance with a Smoke Management Permit issued by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities. Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires. However, 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. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel)
State Parks personnel monitor the perimeter of the prescribed burn on Monday. (Shmuel Thaler - Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Officials monitored the progress on Monday of the prescribed burn near the observation platform at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
With Cal Fire assisting with the project, crews burned a little more than 6 acres on Monday and the remaining 7 acres in the operation will be ignited in the coming days — likely on Wednesday. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions favorable for smoke dispersal. Visitors to the affected area near the park’s campground will be rerouted to other areas.
According to a State Parks press release, the burn, which will be monitored 24 hours a day in the days following the ignition, is part of a long-term strategy to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and to maintain rare ponderosa pine sandhills habitat. This rare habitat type relies on fire to maintain a healthy ecosystem and regenerate sensitive species.
The burn is being conducted in accordance with a Smoke Management Permit issued by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities. Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires. However, 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.
