Firefighters will conduct a 7-acre burn on Tuesday, June 8 — including 4 acres at San Andreas Dam and 3 acres at Pilarcitos Dam within San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) watershed lands.
The annual burn is set to start at 9 a.m., and “light smoke will be visible from parts of I-280 in San Mateo County,” Cal Fire officials said, adding, “There is no need to call 911.”
The burn aims to reduce fire fuels and maintain access for inspections and monitoring of the dams. It will be conducted on grass that has cured, meaning it has died or dried out. SFPUC biologists have already surveyed the areas for the presence of threatened and endangered plants. Prior to the burn on Tuesday, surveys will be conducted to ensure protection of special status animals such as the San Francisco garter snake and the California red-legged frog.
Crews with Cal Fire, the San Mateo County Fire Department and the Ben Lomond Conservation Camp will participate in the burn, with assistance from SFPUC.
Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
