CAL FIRE CZU Plans Controlled Burn in Oak Woodland for Post-Fire Recovery
On Friday, October 10, 2025, weather permitting, CAL FIRE CZU will conduct a controlled burn of approximately 40 acres of grass, brush, and dead trees at Locatelli Ranch in Santa Cruz County. The burn area lies within the CZU August Lightning Complex footprint, see map below.
Santa Cruz County Vegetation Management Forester Scott Bullock explains, “Our aim is to clear encroaching brush to protect the oak-woodland and grassland habitat. This unique ecosystem is declining statewide due to population pressures and fewer working ranches, and it requires active maintenance to survive.”
This controlled burn will create a strong firebreak, reduce flammable vegetation, and remove ladder fuels that allow fires to spread from the ground to the canopy. Smoke impact is expected to be minimal, though it may be visible from Boulder Creek over the ridge toward Empire Grade on the burn day.
The burn will follow Monterey Bay Air Resources District guidelines and occur on a permissible burn day. It is a one-day operation, with crews staying on site as needed for cleanup and monitoring.
This effort is part of a broader strategy to safeguard communities and natural resources, developed in collaboration with stakeholders and incorporating community feedback. It supports statewide goals outlined in the California Fire Plan and the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
For more details, visit the CAL FIRE fuels reduction dashboard at https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/prescribed-fire or the wildfire prevention and preparedness site at https://readyforwildfire.org/.
(Photo and map courtesy of CAL FIRE)
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