By Ventura Breeze Staff –
The Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association (VCPBA) plans to conduct a prescribed burn at Steelhead Preserve (OVLC) in the morning and afternoon of Monday July 14th. The burn will occur between 8am to 6pm, smoke may be visible during this time. Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) are community based, mutual aid networks that help private landowners put “good fire” back on the land. PBAs across California have increased the capacity for communities to do more prescribed fire for ecological, cultural, and safety reasons.
The goals for this broadcast burn include:
- Ecological – Restore native grasslands and reduce invasive species, principally yellow star thistle.
- Reduce hazardous wildland fuels and potential smoke impacts from uncontrolled wildfires.
- Provide opportunities to enhance firefighter training.
- Provide opportunities to conduct research.
Research plots are being conducted at Steelhead to reduce high density non-native invasive yellow star thistle and to see if seeded low growing native forbs (Red maids, Arroyo lupine, and Festuca microstachys) can be restored to burn areas to reduce future fire severity and restore native habitat.
Depending on specific weather conditions that day, residents in the area may see smoke, however fire resources will be on scene to conduct the burn, monitor its progress, and provide oversight of all activities. Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) staff have reviewed the Smoke Management Plans for this burn and provided conditions to minimize smoke impacts to the communities adjacent to the burn. VCAPCD and the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) are the agencies permitting this burn; VCFD and numerous other Fire Departments will be on site.
The VCPBA hopes nearby homes and property owners will consider any inconvenience to be an investment in their safety and the safety of their community. This type of training and preparation better prepares firefighters and property owners for wildfire season. Please pardon any inconvenience this broadcast burn may cause.
For additional information please call VCRCD 805-764-5135 or email: kevin.mason@vcrcd.org.
