California State Parks and CAL FIRE Plan Prescribed Burns at Salt Point State Park
Contacts:
Bill Maslach
California State Parks
Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District Superintendent
(707) 732-8576
Jason Clay
CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit
Public Information Officer
(707) 967-4207
SONOMA COUNTY — California State Parks and the CALFIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit are planning a 261-acre prescribed burn near Seaview Road at Salt Point State Park during the week of October 28. Scheduled dates and additional details will be posted on the Salt Point State Park webpage. Ignitions are expected to occur over 3 days and fire personnel will remain on-site for at least a week following operations.
Prairie Trail will be temporarily closed, and the public is advised to use extreme caution while driving near prescribed fire operations due to fire personnel and equipment in the area.
Prescribed burns are coordinated with the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions, such as weather or vegetation are not conducive for burning, the burns will be rescheduled.
People traveling near the burn areas may see flames and smoke during ignitions, with some smoke produced for a week following ignitions. If the public smells smoke, they are urged to take precautions to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting outdoor activities. Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than a wildfire does.
These burns are part of State Parks’ Prescribed Fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel load reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, and other ecological benefits. Treatments are aimed at managing coastal prairies and forests and enhancing biodiversity as part of the department’s grassland and forest management program. Fire is being reintroduced at state parks as a component of these ecosystems on a rotational basis.Prescribed burns at Salt Point State Park in November 2023. Photos from California State Parks.
Prescribed burns at Salt Point State Park in November 2023. Photos from California State Parks.
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