Prescribed burns through April, early May

To: UC Santa Cruz Community

From: Lisa Ehret, Director of Emergency Management

Cal Fire has advised that prescribed pile burns will continue on Saturday and through the next two weeks in the areas of Wilder State Park and north campus. View a map (PDF).

Crews will be at Marshall Field in Upper Campus on Wednesday, May 2.

Pile burns are controlled and condensed, and typically produce less smoke than do surface burns. However, persons susceptible to smoke or visiting these areas should be advised of air quality concerns.

What to do: If you are affected by air quality issues, stay indoors or leave the immediate area. Close windows until the burn has concluded.

BE SAFE: When there is a fire warning, be alert to as to what is going on around you. If you see fire, call 911 from a safe location.

REDUCE EXPOSURE: If the air is considered unhealthy, very unhealthy, or hazardous, limit your outdoor activities and stay inside with the window and doors closed, or if possible, leave the area. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your airway moist and easier to clear. If you are feeling unhealthy due to poor air quality see your medical provider. You can check the air quality online.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: NIOSH-approved N95 filtering respirators can be helpful in filtering poor-quality air. N95s can be purchased online or at local hardware stories. A medical provider may also be a source.

For more information, please visit our wildland fire resource page online.