San Rafael, CA – A pile burning operation is underway at King Mountain Preserve in Larkspur to reduce fuel for wildfires and is likely to continue through Friday, January 30.
The Marin County Fire Department, in partnership with Marin County Parks and the Larkspur Fire Department, began burning piles of brush and logs Tuesday morning, January 20, as part of Phase II of the larger King Mountain Fire Fuel Reduction Project. Initiated in 2013, the project is aimed at reducing the threat of wildland fire to nearby neighborhoods as well as restoring native habitat on the slopes of the preserve. Phase 1 of the project took place a year ago.
The piles are located along the lower slope of King Mountain between Bond Street (off Sycamore) and Cedar Avenue and above Willow and Holly avenues. The piles off Citron Fire Road consist of nonnative acacia, eucalyptus, and french broom. The removal of nonnative species allows the native oak woodland to rebound while greatly reducing the fuel load at the 108-acre preserve.
Marin County Fire only initiates pile burning on permissive burn days and under predicted favorable weather conditions to protect air quality and prevent smoke impacts upon neighboring communities. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District granted a permit for the work.
The County of Marin is publicizing the planned burns to educate the community about wildland fire threats and reduce emergency calls at the sign of smoke in the burn area. The burns will be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. There may be some lingering smoke in the area after the planned ending time of 3 p.m.