Smoke May Be Visible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Burn Days
California State Parks, in collaboration with Cal Fire and other partner agencies, will conduct a series of prescribed burns in several state park units across San Luis Obispo County starting in late October. These burns are scheduled to continue through June 2026, depending on available fire resources, weather, and air quality conditions.
Burn Areas and Schedule
The prescribed burns may occur in the following state parks: Hearst San Simeon, Estero Bluffs, Morro Bay, and Montaña de Oro. While efforts will be made to adhere to the planned schedule, burning activities will be rescheduled if weather or vegetation conditions are not suitable for safe burning and smoke dispersal.
Park Access and Safety
Visitors should be aware that some park roads, facilities, and trails near burn areas may be temporarily closed to ensure public safety. For the latest updates on park closures, visitors are encouraged to check each park’s official webpage before planning their visit.
Smoke and Health Advisory
Although prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires, smoke may still be visible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on burn days near the affected areas. The public is advised to take precautions by limiting outdoor activities during these times to reduce potential health impacts, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.
Drivers should exercise caution near prescribed burn sites due to the presence of fire personnel and equipment working in the area.
Purpose and Benefits of Prescribed Burns
These prescribed burns are part of California State Parks’ broader prescribed fire program, which aims to support vegetation management, reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitats, and deliver other ecological benefits. Treatments will include grassland and coastal scrub burns, as well as broadcast and pile burns in forested and urban/wildland interface areas to address diseased, dead, and downed trees.
By removing diseased materials, restoring nutrients to the soil, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires, these efforts help enhance overall ecosystem health.
Coordination and Community Impact
California State Parks is coordinating closely with the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District to minimize smoke impacts on nearby communities during the burn operations.
For more information and updates, please visit the official websites of the respective state parks.
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