Flames and smoke rose from a field of dry grass in Rio Linda Monday as part of a prescribed burn program that will be repeated over the next several days in the Dry Creek Parkway area.
Sacramento Metro Fire and County Regional Parks are working together on the project designed to reduce fire danger later in the season and protect wildlife habitat. It also provides a wildfire training opportunity for firefighters.
Crews are igniting sections of grass and then quickly dousing each area with water.
“Right now we can control it,” explained Metro Fire Captain Chris Vestal. “Hopefully this won’t have to burn later in the season.”
The project will “abide by all requirements established by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) and the Sacramento Agricultural Commissioner,” according to a Metro Fire news release.
Captain Vestal urges homeowners to clear vegetation and combustible material away from homes, but in a fire-safe manner, preferably in the morning when humidity is high.
“Even a spark from a shovel can ignite a field of grass,” the captain pointed out.
