Why You Might See Smoke Around Moraga Today

MORAGA, CA — If you see or smell smoke Monday near Moraga, don't panic. Local authorities are conducting a prescribed burn.

Firefighters from the Moraga-Orinda Fire District with assistance from East Bay Regional Parks and Contra Costa County Fire will be working on a prescribed fire project Monday morning at the Moraga Geologic Hazard Abatement District, according to the fire district.

Residents in the area should consider closing exterior doors and windows between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to prevent smoke from entering their homes. The fire district is coordinating the project with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The project will create a ridge-top fuel break of 35-50 feet along Fay Hill Road just east of Painted Rock.

"The 'black line' along the ridge will provide firefighters additional safe working space in the event of a wildfire," the fire district said in a Facebook post, adding prescribed fire also encourages the growth of native grasses in the area.