Prescribed burn at Angel Island sends plume of smoke into Bay Area skies

ANGEL ISLAND — A prescribed burn at Angel Island State Park sent a plume of smoke into the skies above the Bay Area on Tuesday.

The operation came amid soaring temperatures and a warning about deteriorating air quality conditions.

California State Parks conducted the burn with help from Cal Fire and the Marin County Fire Department. Ignitions began around 10:30 a.m., according to officials.

The operation, which concluded around 5 p.m., is intended to reduce the buildup of dead and downed trees and improve perennial grass cover while reducing invasive species, the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit said in a social media post.

About 62 acres were burned Tuesday. If conditions are favorable, another burn may take place later this week, according to officials.

Angel Island is the largest island in San Francisco Bay and is visible from many surrounding communities. Residents were likely to see smoke from the burn and some smoke may also be visible for up to three days following ignitions, officials said.

To avoid overwhelming emergency dispatchers, community members are being asked not to call 911 to report smoke from the island.

The park is expected to remain open during the prescribed burns, but some nearby trails and roads will be closed for one to three days during and immediately after the burns.

Temperatures on Tuesday were set to run 15 to 20 degrees warmer than normal and remain that way through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. On Wednesday, some spots in the interior could reach into the triple digits.

The region is currently under a heat advisory and will remain so until 10 p.m. Thursday.

Wednesday will also bring a Spare the Air Alert. In a news release, the Bay Area Air District said high inland temperatures, coupled with light surface winds and a delayed afternoon sea breeze, are expected to produce elevated concentrations of ozone.

Ozone pollution is particularly harmful for young children, older adults and those with respiratory and heart conditions. During alerts, the district advises limiting outdoor exercise to the early morning hours, when ozone concentrations are lower.

Check back for updates.