Santa Rosa Fire Department to Conduct Training Burns in East Santa Rosa Starting Today

The Santa Rosa Fire Department, in cooperation with Burbank Housing, plans to conduct training burns on a 69-acre parcel in southeast Santa Rosa, west of the Oakmont area, today, Monday, June 30, Wednesday, July 2. Additional dates are possible beyond next week and will be communicated separately.

These scheduled burns will provide critical hands-on training for firefighters and help reduce the risk of wildfires through controlled burning. Burning is expected to take place between approximately 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. today and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, depending on weather conditions. During these hours, residents should expect to see smoke and increased fire department activity in the area.

The property, located in the 6100 block of Sonoma Highway (Highway 12) near Melita Road, is owned by Burbank Housing and is in the early planning stages for a future senior housing development. In 2019, the Glass Fire destroyed four homes on the property making this location readily accessible for training and essential to wildfire prevention.

The planning and execution of training burns involves extensive preparation, including weather parameters, smoke management, and the deployment of a trained fire crew and equipment to ensure maximum safety and control. Extensive weed abatement has been completed around the perimeter of the property by Burbank Housing. When all conditions are met, trained wildland firefighters will conduct the burn, monitoring set criteria, fire behavior, and designated fire control lines. When the burn is complete, fire crews will monitor and patrol the property into the night and over several days. The burns will comply with the requirements of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The benefits of low-intensity prescribed burning include:
• Cleansing wildland debris: Removing excess dead vegetation reduces summer fire hazards and enriches the soil.
• Ecological restoration: Helps protect and improve wildlife habitat, enhances soil and water productivity, and can control or eliminate invasive plants.
• Ecosystem health: Low-intensity burns can help eliminate and control diseased plants and trees.
• New growth: Encourages healthy growth of new plants, especially those that rely on fire for renewal or seed dispersal.
• Reduced risk of destructive wildfires: Controlled burns can reduce the size and frequency of large, uncontrolled fires.

Burbank Housing and the Santa Rosa Fire Department remain committed to sustainable practices that enhance safety and resilience throughout Sonoma County. This burn is one more step in on-going efforts to foster resilient, safe, and healthy neighborhoods.

For more information on preparing for wildfire season, visit srcity.org/WildfireReady and srcity.org/ReadySR.