Residents around Folsom, El Dorado Hills and surrounding portions of eastern Sacramento County will likely notice smoke in the skies Wednesday as CAL FIRE and California State Parks conduct a large prescribed burn operation near Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area.
According to the CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, the cooperative prescribed burn is scheduled for May 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the area of White Rock Road and Scott Road in Rancho Cordova, just west of Folsom.
Officials said smoke will be visible throughout the area during burn operations, with changing wind and weather conditions potentially carrying smoke into nearby communities including Folsom and El Dorado Hills during portions of the day.
The burn is being conducted cooperatively by CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, California State Parks and Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area as part of ongoing wildfire prevention and land management efforts ahead of California’s peak fire season.
The project will treat approximately 175 acres of grassland and oak woodland, helping reduce highly flammable vegetation while improving fire protection for nearby communities and open space areas.
In addition to wildfire fuel reduction, officials said the burn is intended to support ecological restoration goals within the Prairie City area, including enhancement of Vernal Pool habitat, reduction of invasive grass species and removal of excess thatch to help native plant species thrive.
Drivers traveling near the burn area Wednesday morning should also prepare for temporary traffic impacts. Scott Road, between White Rock Road and Latrobe Road, is expected to close beginning at 9 a.m. for approximately four hours during operations. Detour signs will be posted, and motorists are advised to allow extra travel time or seek alternate routes to avoid delays.
The prescribed burn remains dependent on favorable weather conditions and any restrictions established by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.
CAL FIRE officials emphasized that all prescribed burn operations are continuously evaluated throughout the day using a detailed Go/No Go safety checklist based on weather, available firefighting resources and overall fire activity conditions. If burn conditions become unsafe or unfavorable, operations will be stopped immediately.
Prescribed burns are commonly used throughout California during spring months to reduce dry vegetation before summer temperatures and fire danger increase. Fire officials say the controlled burns play an important role in lowering wildfire risk while also improving long-term ecosystem health.
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