Fire management staff at Pinnacles National Monument plan to
burn 10 acres in the previously burned Entrance Meadow the week of
June 13 and an additional five acres in McCabe Canyon later this
fall, if weather conditions allow.
No road or trail closures are anticipated.
The two areas to be burned are along Hwy. 146 inside of the
park’s east boundary.
Fire management staff at Pinnacles National Monument plan to burn 10 acres in the previously burned Entrance Meadow the week of June 13 and an additional five acres in McCabe Canyon later this fall, if weather conditions allow.
No road or trail closures are anticipated.
The two areas to be burned are along Hwy. 146 inside of the park’s east boundary.
The Entrance Meadow burn is to control yellow star thistle, an invasive, non-native plant. Timing will be dependent on plant flowering, to kill the plants before new seeds are produced. About 12 million acres in California are invaded with this aggressive weed. Three consecutive years of burning, in combination with other integrated plant management techniques, can effectively control yellow star-thistle.
Burning at the right time of year will greatly reduce the number of seeds that the plants will be able to produce.
Fire also recycles nutrients back into the soil, and burns off dead mulch which stimulates the growth of native plants.
The five-acre McCabe Canyon burn this fall is designed to stimulate the healthy growth of deer grass stands which are naturally and culturally significant to the park and local Native American tribes.
Prescribed fire is only conducted when the wind speed is low and the air is not too dry. Weather readings will be taken every hour or more during the burn. If an un-forecasted weather event creates unfavorable conditions, the burn will be shut down. Extra firefighters and engines will also be on hand as an added precaution.
To receive an email when the burn day is confirmed, contact the park at 389-4486 x222 or de**********@np*.gov. General park information can be obtained by visiting www.nps.gov/pinn.
