Prescribed Burn Planned at Angel Island State Park
Contact:
Ryan Forbes
Bay Area District
(415) 827-3064
Pile burns at Angel Island State Park in April 2023. Photo from California State Parks
MARIN COUNTY — California State Parks in partnership with CAL FIRE and the Marin County Fire Department are planning an up to 260-acre prescribed burn at Angel Island State Park, beginning as soon as Tuesday, Sept. 8, or when conditions permit.Community members should refrain from calling 911 to report smoke from the island to avoid overwhelming emergency dispatchers.
Angel Island is the largest island in San Francisco Bay at one square mile and is visible from many surrounding Bay Area communities. Many Bay Area residents are likely to see smoke from the burns from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on burn days, and some smoke may also be visible up to three days following ignitions.
This burn is conducted as a part of State Parks’ Prescribed Burn Program with the goal of supporting ongoing vegetation management, wildlife habitat improvement, invasive plant management and other long-term stewardship efforts. This burn is specifically aimed at reducing fuel loads in grasslands and coastal scrub on the island and is supported by Proposition 4 (2024 Climate Bond).
Prescribed burns are planned and coordinated with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts on surrounding communities. All burning depends on weather and air conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If conditions are not conducive, the burn will be rescheduled.
Angel Island State Park will remain open during burn days. However, some trails and roads near the burn area, including portions of the Ida Trail, Sunset Trail, and the park’s fire and perimeter roads, will be closed for one to three days during and immediately after the burn. Access to the summit of Mt. Livermore will not be permitted on some burn days as well.
State Parks asks that visitors adhere to posted closure signage and any directions from park staff or fire personnel. Please use extreme caution when recreating near prescribed fire operations due to fire personnel and equipment in the area. In the unlikely event you smell smoke, officials urge you to take precautions and use common sense to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting time spent in smoky areas.
To stay up to date on the status of this burn, please check the Angel Island State Park webpage, FacebookIInstagram, and the Watch Duty App.
Broadcast burn at Mount Tamalpais State Park in September 2024. Photo from Marin County Fire Department.
Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at NewsRoom@parks.ca.gov
California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.