It’s still fire season

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY—Until the arrival of winter rains, we are still in the midst of a dangerous fire season.

The SCU Lighting Complex Fire, which burned almost 400,000 acres, impacted five regional parks: Round Valley, Morgan Territory, Del Valle, Sunol Wilderness, and Ohlone Wilderness. All told, some 6,000 acres of regional parkland burned. Fortunately, no major park district structures were affected, and there were no injuries.

Four of the five parks closed through Oct. 28 but some may have reopened. Del Valle reopened on a limited basis. The parks district closed the west side, with camping limited to 50 percent capacity, and no swimming. For the most recent updates, click here.

Other regional parks that remain closed are Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, Bay Point Regional Shoreline (for construction) and Little Hills Picnic Ranch in San Ramon. Although all facilities are closed at Castle Rock in Walnut Creek, you can walk through the park to access trails at Diablo Foothills Regional Park.

High alert

Park district rangers and firefighters remain on high alert. And the public can help with the fire prevention effort by being alert as well, and following some common-sense rules:

• Regional parks prohibit. This includes vaping.
• Be aware of Red Flag Warning, fire danger levels, and park fire safety rules. Cooperate with any posted or announced safety rules.
• If you see a fire in a park, call 9-1-1 immediately. If possible, report the fire’s location, size, direction of burn, and whether any the fire’s path includs any buildings. But don’t delay; leave immediately. Your personal safety is of paramount importance.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and your location. This is always a good idea, whether it’s fire season or not.
• During a fire or any other emergency, cooperate with all instructions from firefighters, police and park staff.

For its part, the park district maintains a professionally trained fire department with 16 fulltime firefighters and more than 34 on-call firefighters who have other district jobs but are trained and available when needed.

In the event of fire, the district’s two helicopters provide aerial observation to guide ground crews. The copters are equipped with Bambi buckets to drop fire on waters.

Four-legged assistance

The district helps to reduce fire fuels by grazing about 65 percent of the parklands throughout the year with cattle, goats and sheep. Among other places, the animals graze selectively on a fuel break that extends for about 30 miles through the Oakland-Berkeley hills. A zone between the parklands and adjacent residential neighborhoods slows the advance of fire and create a space where firefighters can make a stand.

An eight-member fuel reduction crew works year-round to improve fire safety by clearing brush, trimming trees, and carrying out prescribed, controlled burning when weather conditions permit.

Circumstances can change rapidly. So for up-to-date information about fire conditions, red flag warnings, and any park closures, visit the park district website. Find the information right at the top of every website page.

Social distancing

And of course when out in the parks, don’t forget about social distancing of at least six feet. Bring along a mask to wear when social distancing becomes difficult at gates and on narrow trails.

And please pick up after your dog. Deposit the dog waste bags in trash receptacles. Don’t leave them trailside for others to have to handle.

EBRPD appreciates everyone’s cooperation. If we all work together, we’ll get back to a more normal mode of operation as soon as the pandemic status and health regulations make it possible.

Ned MacKay writes a regular column about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.