Gerbode Prescribed Fire to Help Control Tall Fescue—Week of September 19

Date: September 13, 2011
Contact: George Durgerian, [phone]

Fire management staff at Golden Gate National Recreation Area plan a 30-acre prescribed burn in the Marin Headlands' Gerbode Valley the week of September 19^th 2011. The ignition is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20th, but the date may change based on weather conditions. Wildland firefighters from the National Park Service and several local fire agencies will conduct the burn from approximately 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, followed by patrol and monitoring to ensure the fire is completely out. The purpose of this prescribed burn is to help remove the thatch or dead grass surrounding clumps of tall fescue, an exotic, invasive perennial bunch grass, so that park staff can access and eradicate these plants. This burn is part of a larger coastal swale habitat restoration effort.

The vegetation in the project area is grassland mixed with coastal scrub. Fire is used in combination with other vegetation management techniques to control tall fescue in many wildland areas within California. Fescue removal will be followed up by native plant revegetation, which is critical for re-establishment of the grassland and scrub mix that support our native wildlife.

During the prescribed fire, the Bobcat trail will be closed between the Miwok and Alta trail intersections. Smoke impacts are expected to be short-term only. However, smoke-sensitive individuals are encouraged to avoid the project area while burning is in progress.

A map of the project area is posted on the park website at www.nps.gov/goga/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm. To receive an email when the burn day is confirmed, contact the fire education office at 415-464-5133.

-NPS-