Cal Fire conducts 48-acre prescribed burn at Swanton Pacific Ranch to reduce wildfire risk

Cal Fire’s CZU unit conducted a prescribed burn Thursday morning at Swanton Pacific Ranch near Highway 1 in northern Santa Cruz County, burning approximately 48 acres to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk.

The one-day operation was conducted in partnership with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which owns and operates the 3,200-acre property. The low-intensity burn targeted oak woodland, grassland and conifer understory to improve wildlife habitat, enhance ecological health and reduce ladder fuels that can carry flames into tree canopies.

The area previously burned in the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire and the 2009 Lockheed fire.

“Our goal is to implement low-intensity prescribed burns within oak woodland, grass, and conifer understory to improve habitats, enhance ecological health, reduce ladder fuels and mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfire,” said Scott Bullock, Cal Fire/Santa Cruz County Fire vegetation management coordinator.

The burn builds on previous vegetation management work at the ranch, including brush clearing and mastication, which involves mechanically grinding vegetation to reduce fuel loads.

Smoke from the operation may have been visible from Highway 1, Davenport, Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond. Cal Fire CZU coordinated with the Monterey Bay Air Resources District on a smoke management plan.

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.