California State Parks to Conduct Prescribed Burn at Henry W. Coe State Park as Soon as Nov. 7
A recent prescribed burn at Henry W. Coe State Park. Photo from California State Parks.
SANTA CLARA and STANISLAUS COUNTIES — California State Parks, with assistance from partner agencies, will carry out a series of prescribed burns in Henry W. Coe State Park starting as soon as Nov. 7, pending weather conditions. Activities include broadcast burning of multiple burn units ranging from 4-60 acres and pile burning of approximately 500 brush piles.
Prescribed burning may continue through June 2027 during breaks from the rain.All burning is dependent on available fire resources, weather and air quality conditions. If weather or vegetation conditions are not conducive for burning and smoke dispersal, the planned burns will be rescheduled.
Below is more information on the planned prescribed burns:
- Broadcast burning and pile burning may occur around Hobbs Road, Monument Trail, Ponderosa Trail and Manzanita Point Road. These locations are in closest proximity to the Coe Ranch entrance of the park. Pile burning may also occur in the Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs region of the park.
- Some park roads, facilities and trails near the burn area may be closed. For the most updated information on park closures, please visit the individual park unit’s webpage.
- Although prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than a wildfire, people traveling near the fire burn areas may see smoke from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day of the burns. Do not call 9-1-1 to report fire activity or smoke 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 outdoor activities. These precautions are especially important for children, the elderly and people with respiratory and heart conditions.
- The public is advised to use extreme caution while driving near prescribed fire operations due to fire personnel and equipment in the area.
These burns are part of State Parks’ prescribed fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel load reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, and other ecological benefits.State Parks uses prescribed fire on a rotational basis as a healthy component of the ecosystem. This work will include broadcast and pile burns in grasslands, shrubland and forested areas near and around wildland-urban interfaces to reduce wildfire risk, support the park’s native plants and wildlife, and protect nearby communities.
State Parks plans and coordinates the prescribed burns with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities.
A previous pile burn operation at Henry W. Coe State Park. Photo from California State Parks.
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