California State Parks Plans Pile Burning Operations at Mount Diablo State Park
Contact:
Aurora Cartegena
aurora.cartagena@parks.ca.gov
WALNUT CREEK — California State Parks will conduct pile burning operations at Mount Diablo State Park (SP) on one or more days between Jan. 15 and March 15. The goal of these planned burns is to reduce wildfire risk, support the park’s native plants and wildlife, and protect nearby communities.
All burning is dependent on weather, air quality, and other environmental conditions. If weather or vegetation conditions are not conducive for burning and smoke dispersal, the planned burns will be rescheduled.
Details to know:
- The planned operations will take place in the Knobcone Point Road and Blackhawk Ridge Road area of the park.
- People with a view of the south side of the mountain may see smoke from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on burn days, with light residual smoke possible for up to three days following ignition.
- No trail closures are planned, but the public is advised to use extreme caution while near prescribed fire operations due to fire personnel and equipment in the area.
- Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than a wildfire does. In the unlikely event you smell smoke, officials urge you to take precautions and use common sense to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting time spent in areas with smoke.
Pile burning is only conducted on days approved by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) to minimize smoke impacts. The planned burns are intended to reduce encroaching woody vegetation, promote native plant diversity, and improve wildlife habitat including for sensitive species such as Alameda whipsnake, California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, Mount Diablo manzanita, and Contra Costa manzanita.
For more information and specific timing of burn days, please visit Mount Diablo SP prescribed burn webpage and Facebook page. To be added to the Diablo Range District burn notification list, email fire.diablorange@parks.ca.gov.
Pile burns help reduce wildfire risk, support the park’s native plants and wildlife, and protect nearby
communities. Photo from California State Parks.
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