News Release

Prescribed Burns Planned for Olema Valley to Begin on November 13, 2019

Date: November 12, 2019
Contact: Jennifer Stock, 415-464-5135

Fire Management staff at Point Reyes National Seashore, in collaboration with Marin County Fire Department and Bolinas Fire Protection District are planning up to five days of prescribed burning along Highway One in the Olema Valley this fall. Burning is tentatively scheduled for November 13–15, but may be rescheduled depending on weather conditions. Fire operations will take place between 10 am and 6 pm. The area to be burned is in four units that make up a total of 205 acres on the east side of Highway One, approximately seven miles south of Olema and four miles north of Bolinas.

Point Reyes National Seashore is using prescribed fire to create a strategic fuel break along the Highway One corridor where a wildfire will be easier to control. Prescribed fire is also an effective tool to reduce the invasive French broom population and maintain open grasslands in between large areas of dense forest on Bolinas Ridge.

The McCurdy Trail will be closed for one to two days during active ignitions. No road closures are anticipated, however, there may be short traffic delays along Highway One while burning is in progress. Short-term smoke impacts may affect the Olema Valley, Stinson Beach, and the San Geronimo Valley. Drivers should use extra caution along Highway One if smoke is present. Smoke sensitive individuals are encouraged to take actions to avoid or minimize exposure to smoke.

-NPS-

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