NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit will be conducting two prescribed burns at Berryessa Knoxville Road at East Side Road in Napa County later this week.
The agency said the prescribed burns will take place on Wednesday, June 15, and Thursday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Prescribed vegetation management burns are carefully planned and must meet strict criteria for ecological benefit, weather parameters, smoke management and fire safety guidelines, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said that when all conditions are met, trained wildland firefighters conduct the burn, while monitoring the set criteria, fire behavior, and designated fire control lines.
Benefits of low-intensity fire in the natural environment include:
– Cleansing of wildland debris. Excessive dead and down branches, brush, and small trees are burned, converting fuels that are hazards in the summer into rich soil nutrients.
– Controlling invasive species. Invasive species such as medusahead and yellow starthistle can be effectively controlled using prescribed fire, allowing native grass species to recolonize their natural habitat. Native grasses are important food and habitat for a wide range of animals.
– Ecosystem health. Low intensity fire helps eliminate and control diseased plants and trees.
– New growth. Prescribed burning encourages the healthy growth of new plants, especially those that are dependent on fire for renewal or seed dispersion.
– Reduced opportunity for destructive fires. Prescribed burns can decrease the size and frequency of large, uncontrolled destructive wildfires.
For more information about fire safety or prescribed fire and its benefits, visit the Cal Fire Web site
www.fire.ca.gov or call your local Cal Fire facility.
REGIONAL: Cal Fire plans prescribed burns at Lake Berryessa
- Lake County News reports
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