Prescribed fires planned for Montaña de Oro and Hearst San Simeon State Parks
CAMBRIA, Calif. - California State Parks, in cooperation with the Air Pollution Control District and Cal Fire will be performing controlled burns on areas of Montaña de Oro and Hearst San Simeon State Parks from Monday to Friday.
The plan is to burn about 100 acres of grassland and brush piles to help reduce fire fuel and keep the forest clear.
California State Parks wants to give communities in Cambria and Los Osos a heads up in case they see or smell smoke this week.
These fuel loads are associated with pine pitch canker, drought and standing dead trees.
The burn will help prepare the forest for restoration and the planting of Monterey pine seedlings.
The burns will take place from Monday to Friday and may start as early as 7 a.m. The burns should be put out around 5 p.m.
The 100 acres of grassland are located at the "Molinari parcel" within Hearst San Simeon State Park. The area is bounded by Highway 1, Van Gordon Creek Road and San Simeon Creek Road.
Brush piles will be burned east of Highway 1 and south of San Simeon Creek campground as well as piles in Montaña de Oro State Park near Camp KEEP and the environmental camp facilities.