3-Day Controlled Burn to Begin Today

A controlled burn by the Nature Conservancy, the Irvine Co. and the state Parks and Recreation Department will darken the skies over Crystal Cove State Park starting today.

For three days, weather permitting, the agencies will clear the area of nonnative plants by igniting 98 acres between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, including Muddy Canyon and a portion of the state park, Irvine Co. spokesman Paul Kranhold said.