Prescribed Burn To Produce Smoke Thursday In Sonoma, Napa Counties

NORTH BAY, CA — Residents in Sonoma and Napa counties may see smoke Thursday from a prescribed burn planned on up to 105 acres in the Pepperwood Preserve, according to Cal Fire.

The burn operation in eastern Sonoma County is meant to reduce wildfire risk on a ridge that is strategic for fire control and separates Franz Valley and the Mark West area. Trained wildland firefighters are scheduled to conduct the burn from around 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit said in a news release.

Smoke will be visible from multiple vantage points in Sonoma and Napa counties.

"Please do not report the fire to local first responders as they are already aware of the prescribed fire plan," Cal Fire said.

Objectives of the burn project also include mimicking natural ecological processes by returning fire to the landscape, promoting native plant propagation and wildlife habitat and reducing fuel loading in the forest understory.

The prescribed burn must meet strict criteria for weather parameters, ecological benefits, smoke management and other safety guidelines, so it could be canceled or changed at the last minute if conditions change, according to the news release.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.