Prescribed burns planned at Mount Diablo State Park -

*Prescribed burn at Mount Diablo State Park in May 2024. (Photo courtesy California State Parks).*

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 22, 2024) — California State Parks plans to conduct prescribed burns at Mount Diablo State Park (SP) with assistance from local fire agencies. The prescribed burns will take place on one or more days between Oct. 28 and Dec. 13. All burning is dependent on weather and air quality conditions. If weather or vegetation conditions are not conducive for burning and smoke dispersal, the planned burns will be rescheduled.

Here’s what the public can expect during the prescribed burns:

Closure of the access point at Regency Drive and a portion of the parking lot at Mitchell Canyon.
The following trails will also be closed: Bruce Lee Road, Water Tower Road, Murchio Road, Oak Road, Coulter Pine Trail, Back Creek Road, and Regency
Other park roads, trails and facilities outside of the burn area will remain

The burns will cover up to 104 acres in the Mitchell Canyon area of the park. Although prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires, communities near Mount Diablo, including Clayton, may experience smoke from the burning operations. Park workers coordinate and plan all burns with the help of Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

California State Parks will work in close coordination with BAAQMD to minimize smoke in surrounding communities. These burns aim to benefit the park and its neighbors by enhancing habitats, managing invasive species, reducing wildfire risk, reducing encroaching woody vegetation, improving wildlife habitat, promoting native plant diversity and restoring the natural fire regime.

For more information and specific timing of burn days, please visit Mount Diablo SP prescribed burn webpage and Facebook page. To add yourself to the Diablo Range District burn notification list, email fire.diablorange@parks.ca.gov.