Prescribed burn at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Point Lobos was closed Monday for prescribed burns.

Crews took advantage of the break in the rain to do the burn at 11:30 Monday morning.

Around 8 acres of dry brush went up in flames. Point Lobos is home to two of the most diverse prairies in the state, and officials want to keep it that way.

“We’re trying to eliminate the woody shrubs like coyote brush, when you look behind us there is the pine tree forest and the pines are coming in,” said Matthew Allen, Senior Environmental Scientist, State Parks.

If it was all left alone, scientists say the trees and shrub would take over making the prairies disappear. State Parks tries to do a prescribed burn every two years.

Point Lobos will reopen on Tuesday, weather permitting.