Controlled Burns To Produce Smoke In Sonoma County

By Olivia Wynkoop, Bay City News Foundation

SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTIES, CA — As wildfire season winds down, fire prevention methods like prescribed burns are ramping up in Napa and Sonoma County this week.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, CAL FIRE and California State Parks plan to initiate controlled burns in Salt Point State Park and Fort Ross State Historic Park to manage vegetation fuels in the area.

Affected park trails will be closed to the public with sign notifications posted at trailheads, CAL FIRE said in a news release.

Smoke will also be visible from Highway 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days, though officials want to remind residents that these are planned and controlled fires.

Napa County residents can also expect to see smoke in the area as fire and air quality officials approved Monday and Tuesday as controlled burn days, the county announced Monday.

Napa property owners who plan to burn are advised to obtain a permit from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and contact their local fire station.

Prescribed burns in both counties were planned with the guidance of local air quality districts, based on weather and air quality conditions that can minimize the effects of smoke in surrounding communities, fire officials said.

CAL FIRE said prescribed burns produce less smoke compared to a wildfire, though residents should still remain inside if they see or smell smoke in their area. Residents are also advised to drive with caution near controlled burns due to fire personnel.

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