Prescribed burn planned near Jenner on Saturday June 15

On Saturday, June 15, Cal Fire will conduct a prescribed burn near the mouth of the Russian River in coastal Sonoma County. This two-acre controlled vegetation management fire will begin at 8 a.m. near Jenner, as part of the Magic Mountain Shaded Fuel Break project.

The goal is to mitigate the risk of wildfires by managing vegetation. The Magic Mountain Shaded Fuel Break Project creates defensible space by removing excess vegetation that could fuel wildfires. This buffer zone aims to protect neighboring communities and natural resources from uncontrolled fires.

Observers from Cal Poly will be on hand to monitor the blight. They will collect data on fire behavior, vegetation response and environmental impacts to improve future wildfire management strategies. This research will provide valuable information to improve the effectiveness of prescribed burns and wildfire prevention measures.

Security measures

Prescribed burns are carefully planned and executed under specific weather conditions to ensure safety and effectiveness. Firefighters will be on hand to bring the fire under control, ensuring it remains within the designated area. The goal is to reduce the risk of larger, uncontrolled wildfires by removing invasive vegetation that acts as tinder.

Residents and visitors to the Jenner area may notice smoke and increased fire activity during the burn. Cal Fire advises the public to stay away from the burned area and follow instructions from local authorities.

At this time, there is no indication that PG&E will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in the area due to the prescribed burn. PG&E generally provides advance notifications if a PSPS is planned. For the latest information on potential power outages, residents are encouraged to check the PG&E website or sign up to receive notifications.

Importance of prescribed burns

Prescribed burns play an essential role in forest management. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that more than 99 percent of the approximately 4,500 prescribed burns conducted each year are successful and remain within the designated area. This means that fewer than 1 in 1,000 prescribed burns result in “breakout” or uncontrolled fire spread. Each incident is thoroughly investigated to understand what went wrong and improve future practices.

The weather forecast for the area near Jenner, where the Magic Mountain shaded firebreak is located, is favorable for the planned prescribed burn. Saturday, expect sunny conditions with high temperatures around 67°F (19°C). Winds will be light and variable, becoming southwest at 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 54°F (12°C). These stable weather conditions are ideal for conducting a controlled burn.