Prescribed Burn Program

Public roads will not be closed during the prescribed burns. However, once the Army makes the decision to mobilize for a prescribed burn, several of the trails and roads that are only accessed by permitted vehicle traffic will be closed for a few days. In general, we ask that pedestrians, equestrians, and cyclists stay off the Fort Ord roads and trails that are south of Gigling Road.

Duration: 24 hours prior to ignition until mop-up is complete (1-3 days)

Location of closures (see map below):

• Eucalyptus Road will be closed to all traffic (including pedestrians and cyclists) from General Jim Moore Blvd. to Barloy Canyon Road
• Parker Flats Road will be closed from Parker Flats Cutoff to Eucalyptus Road.
• All trails leading to Eucalyptus Road will be closed to all traffic.
• South Boundary Road at York School gate east to Laguna Seca will be closed to all traffic.

If you have concerns about what to do to avoid exposure to smoke, the following suggestions are offered:

• Avoid strenuous work or exercise outdoors;
• Close up your home by shutting windows and doors;
• Air conditioning controls should be set in the "recycle" mode to prevent outside air from being drawn into your home;
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your respiratory membranes moist;
• Seek medical care if breathing becomes difficult, and
• Consider using an over-the-counter nasal moisturizing spray (saline)

2011 and 2012: Cancellation of Prescribed Burns

In 2011, the Army began preparation of two areas for prescribed burns by cutting containment lines. During site preparation, two types of large artillery projectiles were encountered on the surface, an unexpected event since these types of projectiles are generally found several feet below the ground. The potential presence of these items on the ground surface made these areas unsafe to burn. The items encountered required a much greater safety setback distance than had been anticipated. That distance exceeded the Army’s capabilities to conduct a safe prescribed burn. Because of this, the vegetation must be cut to allow the safe removal of MEC remaining in these areas. Once the surface MEC has been removed from the areas and the vegetation grows back sufficiently to carry a fire, these two areas will be burned to encourage successful recovery of the rare, threatened and endangered fire-dependant plant species. 

In 2012, the Army prepared Unit 10 for a prescribed burn, however, the required conditions including appropriate weather to conduct a burn did not align and a burn was not conducted.

The Army proposed a cleanup plan for munitions and explosives of concern (MEC), including unexploded ordnance (UXO), in the 6,560-acre portion of the historical Impact Area. Public comments on the proposed plan were accepted during a 60-day public comment period from June 28 to August 28, 2007. The Army and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with California EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), considered the public comments and selected a remedy for the site. The selected remedy is described in the Record of Decision Impact Area Munitions Response Area Track 3 Munitions Response Site. This document also includes the Army's responses to public comments.

The selected remedy (Technology-Aided Surface MEC Remediation with Subsurface MEC Remediation in Selected Areas) will involve the following activities:

• Prescribed burning to remove vegetation
• Surface removal of MEC from the entire site and subsurface MEC removal in selected areas of the site
• Digital geophysical mapping
• Land use controls including a perimeter fence to manage and control public access

The Fort Ord Environmental Cleanup Program Toll Free Number 1-800-852-9699 provides information on detonation schedules, updates on prescribed burns and the opportunity to speak to an environmental staff person or leave a message.

You can also call the toll free number and request to be added to the Fort Ord Community Relations mailing list and receive monthly information packets in the mail. You can also request to receive notices by email. Simply provide your name, mailing address and email address when you call. Remember to specify that you'd like to be added to the mailing list and/or email notifications. The mailing packets and email notifications provide information about upcoming public meetings and community outreach events, updates on reports being issued for public review, details of planned construction activities and more.