Photo of controlled burns.
Pile fires burn in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area in Oroville in the fall of 2021. Mount Diablo State Park plans to conduct similar burns for the purpose of vegetation management sometime between Jan. 15 and March 15, 2026. (Photo by Cal Fire via Bay City News)

Crews will conduct pile burns at Mount Diablo State Park sometime between January and March to reduce vegetation on the south side of the mountain, California State Parks officials announced.

The burns are planned for one or more days between Jan. 15 and March 15 and will happen in the Knobcone Point Road and Blackhawk Ridge Road areas.

The goal is to reduce wildfire risk, support the park’s native plants and wildlife, and protect nearby communities, park officials said in a news release.

No trails will be closed during the burn periods.

The pile burns are dependent on weather, air quality and other environmental factors, and will be rescheduled if conditions aren’t right.

During burn operations, smoke may be visible from the south side of the mountain from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and light smoke could linger for up to three days following the burn, according to park officials.

People can email to sign up for the Diablo Range District burn notification list.


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