Emergency fuel reduction project underway in Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
UPDATE 08/14/19 5:45 p.m. Crews began cutting down trees and removing vegetation in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park Wednesday as part of an emergency fuel reduction project.
County officials said the project is the result of the state of emergency proclaimed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in March to address wildfire concerns. Crews will remove small-diameter trees and underbrush along ridgelines in and around the park and state forest.
The area was one of 35 others around the state identified as a “high priority” project by Cal Fire because of it’s fire history.
“Going back to the Loma fire, summit fire, Lexington fire. So we know that’s gonna happen again, this road is actually on a ridge line and it’s actually the first ridge line that separates that Santa Clara Santa Cruz area so this ridgeline gives us the best opportunity to stop the next fire,” said Cal Fire forester Andy Hubbs.
California State Parks announced that some roads and trails in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and the Soquel Demonstration State Forest will be closing periodically.
The closures will mainly apply to higher-elevation areas. Closures are expected to start Aug. 12 and last until fall rains start.
This is part of the Upper Aptos Creek/Buzzard Lagoon Roadside Fuelbreak Project and will be done in four phases:
Phase I- Upper Buzzard Lagoon Road and upper Aptos Creek Fire Road from the Buzzard Lagoon Road intersection to the Santa Rosalia Overlook at Ridge Trail intersection Phase II- Upper Aptos Creek Fire Road from the Ridge Trail intersection to the Sandpoint overlook Phase III- Hinckley Fire Road from the Sandpoint Overlook to the Westridge Trail intersection Phase IV- Ridge Trail in Soquel Demonstration State Forest
The county said those areas have the potential for significant fire growth because of fuel conditions, fire history and topography. The goal is to improve emergency vehicle access, create areas to help in fighting wildfires and improve forest health by increasing space around larger trees.
The work will be done during daylight hours Monday through Friday.
For up to date information on road closures you can visit www.parks.ca.gov/ForestofNiseneMarks.
PREVIOUS: California State Parks announced that some roads and trails in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and the Soquel Demonstration State Forest will be closing periodically.
The closures will mainly apply to higher-elevation areas. Closures are expected to start Aug. 12 and last until fall rains start.
This is part of the Upper Aptos Creek/Buzzard Lagoon Roadside Fuelbreak Project and will be done in four phases:
Phase I- Upper Buzzard Lagoon Road and upper Aptos Creek Fire Road from the Buzzard Lagoon Road intersection to the Santa Rosalia Overlook at Ridge Trail intersection Phase II- Upper Aptos Creek Fire Road from the Ridge Trail intersection to the Sandpoint overlook Phase III- Hinckley Fire Road from the Sandpoint Overlook to the Westridge Trail intersection Phase IV- Ridge Trail in Soquel Demonstration State Forest
County officials said the project is the result of the state of emergency proclaimed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in March to address wildfire concerns. Crews will remove small-diameter trees and underbrush along ridgelines in and around the park and state forest.
The county said those areas have the potential for significant fire growth because of fuel conditions, fire history and topography. The goal is to improve emergency vehicle access, create areas to help in fighting wildfires and improve forest health by increasing space around larger trees.
The work will be done during daylight hours Monday through Friday.
