Prescribed burning operations planned at Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonoma County Regional Parks in partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, is planning a prescribed burn at Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 24 and 25.  Fire crews will burn approximately 30 acres starting as early as 8 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.  Smoke may be visible around the area for up to seven hours. These are permitted controlled burns; do not call 911.

These burns will take place on the western ridge, which has been identified as a priority for reducing fuels to improve park ecology and increase wildfire safety and resilience. The park will be closed both days, and closure signs will be posted.

Prescribed burns are carefully planned and must meet strict criteria for ecological benefit, weather parameters, smoke management and fire safety guidelines. (The planned date is subject to last-minute changes due to these considerations.) When all conditions are met, trained wildland firefighters conduct the burn while monitoring the set criteria, fire behavior and designated fire control lines.

These prescribed burns have been planned and coordinated with the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities.

This project is supported in large part by Parks for all - Measure M.  For more information on how Regional Parks uses low-intensity prescribed fire as a landscape management tool, visit SoCoParks.org/Fire.

About Sonoma County Regional Parks

Sonoma County Regional Parks provides essential opportunities for people to connect with nature. Regional Parks contributes to the vibrancy and well-being of our community by expanding access to recreation experiences, serving as responsible stewards of cultural and natural resources and ensuring that our parks are clean, safe and welcoming. Learn more at SonomaCountyParks.org.

About CAL FIRE

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) serves and safeguards the people and protects the property and resources of California. The CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, or LNU for short, is one of 21 CAL FIRE administrative units, and one of the largest. Spanning north of the San Francisco Bay Area from the Pacific Ocean to the Interstate-5 corridor, the counties of Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo come together to form a CAL FIRE Unit. LNU has primary responsibility for 2,063,280 acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA) – the most of any CAL FIRE Unit - and a vast range of vegetation types, populations and political climates. We staff 21 fire stations, 31 state engines, six bulldozers, operate two conservation camps, have one fuel reduction crew, a firefighter hand crew, one helitack base, one air attack base and many other support staff positions.

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Contact Information:

Ariana Reguzzoni
Marketing and Communications
Sonoma County Regional Parks
ariana.reguzzoni@sonoma-county.org

Jason Clay and Tyree Zander
Public Information Officers
CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit
707-967-4207
LNUPIO@fire.ca.gov