Controlled Burn Due Tonight
The Los Angeles County Fire Department will conduct its first controlled burn after dark in Cheeseboro Canyon tonight, authorities said.
Capt. Scott Franklin, who is in charge of the pilot project, said the burn will take place between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on 100 acres of land just north of the Ventura Freeway and west of Cheesebro Road. Motorists traveling on the freeway will be able to see the fire, Franklin said.
The National Park Service requested the burn to protect the canyon’s oak trees from potential wildfire and to create a buffer for Agoura Hills, which has been plagued by several arson-related brush fires recently, Franklin said.
About 80 firefighters will participate in tonight’s burn, using hand-held torches to burn underbrush and the base area of the trees.
It will be the county Fire Department’s first night burn, Franklin said.
Franklin said there are many safety advantages to burning at night, including cooler temperatures, less wind and lower humidity.
Franklin said other night burns are planned for areas in Santa Clarita, Malibu and possibly Topanga Canyon.
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