05/15/2026
🔥 Prescribed Burn Planned at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 🔥
California State Parks, in partnership with CAL FIRE, is planning an 8-acre prescribed burn in the Sandhills Area of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park targeting the week of May 18, but may be rescheduled into June depending on weather conditions.
These carefully managed burns help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire while protecting and restoring the rare Bonny Doon manzanita sandhills habitat — an ecosystem that depends on fire to stay healthy.
📍 Smoke may be visible in Felton, Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, and along Graham Hill Rd. and Hwy 9.
🚫 Pine Trail will be closed during active burning operations.
⏰ Ignitions may occur between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. over a period of up to two weeks, depending on weather and air quality conditions.
Prescribed burns improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuel buildup, and support wildlife habitat restoration. 🌲🐾🍃
Follow along for updates on the SCD Prescribed Fire website and Watch Duty.
AltText 1: A post-burn photograph in the Henry Cowell Sandhills habitat showing off the selective behavior of fuels in a broadcast burn. Ferns and small greenery surrounds darkly charcoaled ground.
AltText 2: An image collage of three species adapted to the natural fire cycle of the Henry Cowell Sandhills. Clockwise, a close-up of a Mount Hermon June Beetle, easily identified from other June beetles by it’s shaggedy white lines; a nighttime photo of a Santa Cruz kangaroo rat showing off it’s long tail, and the silverleaf manzanita.
AltText 3: The fire crew, stationed in yellow uniforms, conduct a controlled burn in sandhills habitat. Small flames and smoke rise from the fire line as they manage the burn. The field is surrounded by green trees in the distant background under a blue sky.
