YOU MAY SEE SMOKE

Valley Center, Pauma and Palomar Mountain residents MAY see smoke this week from a controlled burn that will be conducted this week at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Personnel from the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, in cooperation with CAL FIRE will be conducting a controlled burn on Middle Peak, north of Cuyamaca Peak, on Wednesday Nov. 18. The purpose of this burn is to clear vegetation from 70 acres to make ready for planting of tree seedlings early next year. This area, once cleared, will have over 20,000 trees planted as part of the ongoing reforestation effort in the Park. Removal of this vegetation will not only make the job of planting easier, but allow the seedlings a much better chance of survival by reducing competition for sunlight and scarce water.

Park officials remind the public that the smoke and flames from this burn will be visible from many areas of the county due to the location high up on Middle Peak. The burn will commence about 9:00 A.M. and operation should conclude by 4:00 P.M. that day with patrol operations continuing for several days. The public should also be aware that due to the many dead trees within the burn area smoke may continue to be visible for several days after the burn is completed. Removal of these dead trees will also assist in the reforestation efforts and help to make the Park safer for visitors.