Prescribed Fires for Fall of 1998 in Point Reyes National Seashore

Date: September 23, 1998
Contact: John Dell'Osso, 415-464-5135

Superintendent Don L. Neubacher announced today that Point Reyes National Seashore fire specialists will be conducting a series of prescribed fires this fall. The fires will be throughout different areas of the National Seashore. The main objectives of this fire program are to reduce hazardous fuels and remove non-native vegetation. To complete this prescribed fire program, Point Reyes National Seashore has developed a specialized fire management team.

The prescribed burn is part of a multi-year ongoing effort by the National Park Service to reduce hazardous fuel loads and remove invasive, non-native plants such as scotch broom. Because control of non-native plants has been limited in the past, non-native plants have quickly spread and "crowded out" California native plants. In addition, because fire has been suppressed in the past, heavy fuel loads have increased and need to be systematically reduced over time to reduce fire danger. Some of the prescribed fires planned this fall will reduce the fuels between park lands and adjacent private property.

Burning also provides other ecological benefits such as improved wildlife habitat and an improved environment for native plant species.

The prescribed fires will only be conducted if weather and other conditions are favorable. The fire will be monitored and staffed by National Park Service personnel.

This first scheduled fire of the season is 60 acres and planned for Wednesday and Thursday, September 23rd and 24th at the Limantour area for the removal of non-native Monterey pine.