Campus News
Prescribed burns near campus starting Monday, October 6
California State Parks will conduct prescribed burns at Wilder Ranch State Park beginning Monday, October 6 through Friday, October 10.
California State Parks will conduct prescribed burns at Wilder Ranch State Park beginning Monday, October 6 through Friday, October 10. The prescribed burn is scheduled between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. All burning will depend on weather and air-quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions are not conducive for burning, the burns will be rescheduled. UC Santa Cruz’s Environmental Programs office routinely monitors the Air Quality Index (AQI) across the campus. There are also several websites that provide real-time air quality data for UC Santa Cruz and the greater region.
Roughly 600 acres of grassland habitats will be included in the burns, including Twin Oaks, Wilder Ridge, Baldwin, and Englemann grasslands. Some trails may be closed temporarily to ensure public safety.
These burns are part of the prescribed fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel-load reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, and other ecological benefits. They are planned and coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Quality Management District to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities. The treatment will enhance the health of the forest by removing duff, leaf litter, and fuel buildup, restoring essential nutrients to the soil, and reducing the chance of wildfires.
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. You can find information on the Air Quality Index and local air-monitoring resources online. In addition, Environmental Health & Safety provides information on wildfire smoke and ways to protect yourself.
Campus affiliates with respiratory illness, other medical conditions that may be exacerbated by smoke exposure, and any others that may be concerned about their smoke particulate exposure may pick up filtering masks (N95s) from the following locations:
- McHenry Library: Circulation Desk
- Science and Engineering Library: Circulation Desk
REDUCE EXPOSURE: If the AQI is in the unhealthy, very unhealthy, or hazardous ranges, limit your outdoor activities and stay inside with the windows 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 ill due to poor air quality, seek advice from your medical provider.
For more information, please visit our wildland fire resource pages at:
- Press Release
- Emergency Procedure – Building Fire and Wildland Fire
- Wildfire Smoke – Employee Protection from Wildfire Smoke
- UCSC Air Quality Monitoring