California State Parks is planning a prescribed burn at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Santa Cruz County from mid-January through early February as part of ongoing fuel reduction and forest health efforts.
The multi-day burn is planned for the northeast corner of the park, where about 13 acres of forest along Santa Rosalia Ridge, bordered by Aptos Creek Fire Road, have been prepared for treatment. State Parks officials said the location, which sits along the park boundary and near a shaded fuel break constructed through forest health projects in 2019 and 2024, offers an opportunity to serve as an anchor point for larger broadcast burns in the future.
Burning operations will be monitored, with patrols continuing into the evening when required. All burning is dependent on weather and air quality conditions that allow for adequate smoke dispersal and meet ecological goals. If conditions are not favorable, the burns will be rescheduled.
Smoke may be visible in Soquel, Corralitos and parts of the Monterey Bay area on days when burning occurs, officials said.
Prescribed burning at Nisene Marks is part of a broader fuel reduction project intended to reduce the potential for extreme fire behavior in the event of a wildfire. State Parks said the work is designed to improve emergency access, foster forest health and enhance biodiversity. The burns are planned, permitted and coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities.
While prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires, officials advised residents near active burn areas to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible. The precautions are especially important for children, older adults and people with respiratory or heart conditions.
Additional information about prescribed burns and other operations in the State Parks Santa Cruz District, which includes all state parks in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, is available through district social media channels.
Information is also available by calling the Santa Cruz District prescribed burns hotline at (831) 216-6459 or by email.
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State Parks to Conduct Pile Burns at Big Basin and Henry Cowell with Volunteer Support
California State Parks plans to conduct pile burning operations later this month at Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park as part of ongoing fuel reduction efforts around old-growth redwood habitats.
The burns will take place with piles created by park volunteers and are dependent on dry weather and conditions that allow for adequate smoke dispersal.
At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, approximately 52 piles will be burned along the Redwood Loop Trail on Saturday, Jan. 17. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, about 80 piles are scheduled to be burned along the Redwood Grove Loop Trail on Saturday, Jan. 31. Ignitions on both days are expected to begin at about 9 a.m.
No trail closures are planned during the operations, and additional park docents will be available to provide interpretation for visitors on burn days.
State Parks officials said the pile burning is part of a continuing effort to reduce fuel loads in old-growth redwood areas, a strategy aimed at fostering forest health and reducing the potential for extreme fire behavior during wildfires. The projects also improve emergency access and enhance biodiversity.
Burning will be closely monitored until all piles are fully extinguished, with patrols continuing into the evening and weekend as needed. Ignitions may occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. as conditions allow throughout the pile-burning season.
Smoke may be visible near the parks and in parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains during the burns. All operations are planned, permitted and coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities. If weather or air quality conditions are not favorable, the burns will be rescheduled.
State Parks encouraged the public to learn more about prescribed burns and other fire operations in the Santa Cruz District, which includes state parks in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, through its prescribed fires webpage.
Officials praised the work of volunteers in creating the burn piles, noting the work would not be possible without their support.
Visitors interested in learning more about fire in redwood forests or becoming volunteer pile builders are encouraged to visit the parks on scheduled burn dates or contact park staff by email.