December 8th 2024.
On Monday, a large column of smoke will be visible for miles across certain areas of the Bay Area. However, there is no need to panic or call for help, as this is not an emergency situation.
The reason for the smoke is a planned controlled burn by CalFire, which is scheduled to take place along the San Mateo County coast near Pescadero. This is a proactive measure to reduce the risk of wildfires, taking advantage of favorable conditions. The controlled burn will cover an area of 45 acres and will be conducted at TomKat Ranch, which is the same location where a similar 49-acre burn was successfully carried out by CalFire last month.
Owned by financier and former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer and his wife, philanthropist Kat Taylor since 2002, the 1,800-acre ranch has been a site for multiple controlled burns in recent years. The main goal of these burns is to decrease the risk of fires in the community and promote the growth of fire-resistant plant species, such as native grasslands.
According to Cecile Juliette, a spokesperson for CalFire, their team works to create a strategic pattern of burned areas, all under their control. This approach is considered more effective in reducing the amount of vegetation that can potentially fuel a fire. While the smoke may be an inconvenience for a day, it is much safer than dealing with a massive wildfire that can cause destruction to homes, cars, and other buildings.
It is expected that the controlled burn will consume coyote brush, grasses, poison oak, and other types of vegetation. To ensure safety, there will be several engines, numerous firefighters, and a CalFire helicopter stationed at the site.
The CZU Lightning Fire, which occurred in August 2020, is still fresh in the minds of residents in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. The fire was ignited during a dry lightning storm and burned for 5 weeks, covering an area of 86,509 acres. Tragically, it claimed the life of one man and destroyed 1,490 structures, mostly homes in the town of Boulder Creek and Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
In recent years, as the threat of wildfires has increased, fire departments across the state have been working on implementing measures to mitigate the risk. This includes mechanical thinning and controlled burns in areas that were historically prone to fires but have been affected by years of fire suppression, resulting in an accumulation of dense vegetation.
In addition to TomKat Ranch, CalFire has also conducted prescribed fires at other locations along the Central Coast, such as Wilder Ranch State Park and Pomponio Ranch in San Gregorio. They have also carried out controlled burns in the Bay Area, including Calero County Park in Santa Clara County in October.
Juliette emphasized that weather conditions must be ideal for such controlled burns to take place. The vegetation must be dry enough to catch fire, but not too dry or windy to prevent the fire from getting out of control. Additionally, these burns require approval from state air quality regulators, as they can potentially affect air quality.
In conclusion, the controlled burn at TomKat Ranch is a carefully planned and executed effort by CalFire to reduce fire risk in the community. It is a delicate balance between promoting the growth of fire-resistant plants and ensuring safety for the surrounding area.
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