Pile Burning Planned Through Friday Near Fairfax

FAIRFAX, CA — The Marin County Fire Department is scheduled to conduct a three-day burn this week above Woodacre, and officials expect smoke will be seen and potentially smelled around Fairfax, the San Geronimo Valley and Ross Valley.

Fire officials said crews are taking advantage of favorable conditions, and the pile burns are scheduled to take place on the San Geronimo Ridge and White Hill Fire roads between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

"Marin County Fire in coordination with Marin County Parks and Open Space are taking advantage of the wet weather to continue ongoing fuel reduction efforts," the department wrote Tuesday. "Pile burning is a prescribed fire and an effective way to remove excess fuels when chipping and leaving material on-site isn't feasible. The step helps firefighters proactively protect neighboring communities."

The fuel reduction effort follows another prescribed burn in the Novato area Friday, where crews burned 40 acres along Big Rock Ridge.