MARIN COUNTY, Calif., - California State Parks in cooperation with the Marin County Fire Department is planning to conduct pile burning operations at Angel Island State Park, beginning as soon as Wednesday, April 5, or as soon as conditions permit and continuing for two to three days from the start of pile ignitions.

These piles burns are part of California State Park’s Wildfire and Forest Resiliency Program. This work is aimed at controlling invasive Monterey Pine (Pinus Radiata) trees and reducing hazardous fuel loads in areas where small pine trees have been previously removed. Pine trees were brought to Angel Island by early European settlers to the Bay Area and are highly invasive. These fast-growing trees and the layers of needle litter adversely impact native plant species, alter wildlife habitat and can increase the intensity of wildfires. Strategic efforts to manage these trees and preserve Angel Island’s oak woodlands, grasslands, coastal scrublands, and the animals that depend on them have been ongoing since the creation of Angel Island State Park.

Pile burns are planned on designated open burn days as determined by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District in order to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions, such as weather or staffing are not conducive for burning, the burns will be rescheduled.

Portions of the North Ridge Trail and Fire Road (on the east side of the island above East Bay Campsites 1, 2 and 3) may be temporarily closed on the day of pile burns. People traveling near the island and in adjacent communities in Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda and San Francisco counties may see smoke from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the burns, with some minimal smoke produced for up to two to three days following ignitions. In the event you smell smoke, officials urge you to take precautions and use common sense to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting outdoor activities. Prescribed burning and fuel reductions efforts produce significantly less smoke than wildfire does. 

Please use extreme caution while recreating near prescribed fire operations due to fire personnel and equipment in the area. 

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