Fire District: Prescribed Burns Planned Near Moraga

LAMORINDA, CA — The Moraga-Orinda Fire District announced more prescribed fire projects this week near the Valle Vista Staging Area in Moraga.

As long as the air quality is favorable, firefighters from the Moraga-Orinda Fire District and Contra Costa County Fire will conduct pile burns Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Jan. 7-10.

Crews will work within the Tunnel-East Bay Hills Shaded Fuel Break near Upper San Leandro Reservoir and Canyon Road starting around 10 a.m. daily.

Motorists driving toward the community of Canyon may see or smell smoke. Nearby residents should close exterior doors and windows to keep smoke from entering their homes.

The projects are intended to reduce wildfire hazards, maintain the shaded fuel break and enhance conditions for native plants and wildlife in the area, the fire district said.

MOFD coordinates the pile-burning projects with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

"Our goal is to ensure the project objectives are met and operations are conducted safely with minimal impact to the community," MOFD said. "Safety is our number one priority. If burning conditions become unfavorable, the project will be rescheduled."