Smoke May Be Visible From Prescribed Burn In San Mateo County

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Locals may see smoke emitting from prescribed burns Friday in Burlingame.

Cal Fire CZU in collaboration with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will manage the prescribed burn near the San Andreas Dam.

The burn is expected to begin around 10 a.m. and continue through the late afternoon. Officials said it will clear weeds from about 5 acres on the southern end of the San Andreas Reservoir dam face.

By removing overgrown grass in a controlled manner, crews can enhance dam safety by allowing engineers to inspect for potential issues," Cal Fire stated. "Earthen dams must be regularly inspected for signs of instability, such as cracking, slumping, sinkholes, or internal erosion. Dense, tall grass obscures the ground, making these early warning signs difficult to detect during routine walk-throughs by dam safety engineers."

Smoke during the operation will be visible from I-280, Skyline Boulevard, and surrounding communities including Millbrae, San Bruno, and Hillsborough.

Fire Officials are asking locals to please avoid calling 911 for updates.