California State Parks is planning an up to 100-acre prescribed burn at Angel Island State Park, beginning as early as Saturday November 1st, 2025 or when conditions permit. Community members should refrain from calling 9-1-1 to report smoke from the island to avoid overwhelming emergency dispatchers.
Angel Island is the largest island in San Francisco Bay at 1 square mile and is visible from many surrounding Bay Area communities. For this reason, many Bay Area Residents are likely to see smoke from the burns from 9:00am to 6:00pm on burn days. Some smoke may also be visible up to 3 days following ignitions.
This burn is conducted as a part of California State Parks Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX). With the goal of supporting ongoing vegetation management, wildlife habitat improvement, invasive plant management and other long term stewardship efforts. This prescribed burn is specifically aimed at reducing fuel loads in grasslands and coastal scrub on the island.
Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges or TREX facilitate training, information sharing and relationship building for those who work with fire. These exchanges provide certified fire practitioners with the opportunity to hone their skills, and work towards more advanced qualifications with the support of fellow fire management professionals.
Prescribed Burns are planned and coordinated with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts on surrounding communities. All burning depends on weather and air conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If conditions are not conductive the burn will be rescheduled.
Angel Island State Park will remain open during burn days. However, some trails and roads near the burn area including portions of the Ida Trail, Sunset Trail, and the Park Fire Road will be closed for 1 – 3 days during and immediately after the burn. Access to the summit of Mt. Livermore may be limited on burn days as well.
California State Parks asks that visitors adhere to posted closure signage and any directions from Park Staff or Fire Personnel. Please use extreme caution when recreating near prescribed fire operations due to fire personnel and equipment in the area. In the unlikely event you smell smoke, officials urge you to take precautions and use common sense to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting time spent in smoky areas.
To stay up to date on the status of this burn, please check the Angel Island State Park Webpage, or on Social Media: Facebook I Instagram, and the Watch Duty App.