Prescribed Burn In San Mateo County Planned For Friday

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Firefighters in San Mateo County plan to conduct a prescribed burn in Pescadero on Friday at TomKat Ranch.

It is expected to reduce brush on a ridge north of Pescadero. The burn area, which is 30 acres, has been pre-treated with masticators, according to the San Mateo County Fire Department.

The burn is part of a multi-year process in conjunction with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to explore how prescribed burning can reduce the risk of wildfires in tandem with regenerative planned livestock grazing, according to the San Mateo County Fire Department.

"Fire treatments can help regenerate fire-tolerant plant species, such as native grasslands, and improve soil organic matter, which increases the soil’s ability to hold water,” said Kat Taylor, Founder of TomKat Ranch."

Most of the burn will take place Friday, officials said. Burning may continue into Saturday if additional acreage remains.

“During a time of increasing drought and more destructive wildfires from climate change, California can adopt regenerative practices like prescribed burns and managed grazing to restore natural ecological cycles, and protect people and our planet,” Taylor said.