Wildfire Smoke Postpones Prescribed Burn In SMC

SAN MATEO, CA — A large prescribed fire planned Wednesday on the Peninsula has been postponed due to anticipated smoke impacts from fires burning in Northern California and Oregon, officials announced Tuesday.

Cal Fire announced the change after consulting with the Bay Area Air District, which has issued an air quality advisory through Wednesday, expecting hazy skies and the potential smell of smoke.

The fire was initially scheduled to burn Wednesday across 89 acres of brush and grass near the Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir in San Mateo County. The objective of the burn was to reduce fire fuels and lower the risks of a larger fire in the future while improving the coastal prairie habitat.

When the burn does take place, officials expect smoke will be visible around Woodside, Belmont, Burlingame, Emerald Hills, and the San Carlos Hills, along with portions of Interstate 280.

"This is a large acreage burn for San Mateo County," Cal Fire forester Sarah Collamer said Monday. "We have a significant fire history in the I-280 corridor, including in this rest stop area. Drought conditions have subsided, and we have a marine layer at night, and high humidity will help extinguish the fire."

Cal Fire will share a new date for the fire with the public as soon as it is available.