Information provided by Cal Fire BEU. Lea este artÃculo en español aquÃ.
Conditions and weather permitting, CAL FIRE in collaboration with CALTRANS plans to conduct a prescribed burn located along State Routes (SR) 101 and 156 in San Benito County, between Mile Post 3.0/4.4 and 5.4/7.5 on northbound SR 101 and between Mile Post 0.0/2.0 on westbound SR 156. Operations will occur on 06/17/2026 along SR 156 and 06/18/2026 along SR 101. The purpose of the project is to reduce fuel loading to minimize wildfire risk in these corridors, which have seen recent fires with vehicles as the ignition source. Single lane closures northbound on SR 101 and westbound SR 156 will be in effect during the prescribed burn.
This prescribed fire project is part of broader strategic efforts to protect the local community and nearby natural resources. These plans are informed by community and local stakeholder input and serve as a collaborative effort with a range of cooperators throughout the course of the project. This project adds to significant work underway throughout the state and brings California one step closer towards meeting or exceeding state fuels reduction goals directed by the California Fire Plan and the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
Each operation follows a specialized burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for dispersal of smoke. All this information is used to decide when and where to burn.
Smoke from prescribed fire operations is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size, conditions, and weather. Prescribed fire smoke is generally less intense and of much shorter duration than smoke produced by wildland fires.
Smoke from this control burn will be visible in the San Juan Bautista Area. Weather conditions will be monitored, and the burn may be postponed if burning conditions are found to be unfavorable. CAL FIRE is in close consultation with the National Weather Service’s Monterey office and Monterey Bay Air Resources District to ensure that burning takes place in appropriate weather conditions; the project may be postponed if conditions are not conducive to a safe burn.
To be added to the Prescribed Fire Notification list, send a request to BEU.ResourceManagement@fire.ca.gov
For additional information on preparing for and preventing wildfires visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.