A 260-acre prescribed burn at Angel Island is billowing smoke across the Bay Area skyline Tuesday morning.
The burn started at 10:30 a.m. and will continue to around 6 p.m., according to a California State Parks news release. Residents can expect smoke to be visible for up to three days post-burn. Most of the park is still open to visitors; however, officials requested visitors yield to closure signs and follow directions from park or fire personnel. Some trails and sites, including portions of the Ida Trail and Sunset Trail and the summit of Mount Livermore, will be closed for one to three days.
While the smoke from prescribed burns may appear harrowing, the burns can act as a key tool to combat intense wildfires. Burning dry plant debris in a controlled setting prevents potential future fires from becoming dangerously intense by ridding the environment of natural fuel. The technique is often referred to as a “good” fire, according to State Parks.
The prescribed burn at Angel Island is also intended to reduce non-native species and support the growth of native grass cover…