Prescribed Burns

The Army is Planning to Conduct a Prescribed Burn in 2025.

Update 11/17/2025: The federal government shutdown ended on 11/12/2025. The Army is continuing its plans to conduct a prescribed burn at Fort Ord in 2025. For habitat conservation considerations, the burn season at Fort Ord is July to December. The prescribed burn will be conducted as soon as suitable conditions are identified and resources are available. The Army burn team is monitoring the conditions. Please continue to check this website for the status of the prescribed burn.

Update 10/8/2025: The Army is planning to conduct a prescribed burn at Fort Ord this fall. The prescribed burn will be conducted as soon as suitable conditions are identified. The federal government shutdown is currently affecting the availability of some key resources. The Army burn team is monitoring the conditions. Please continue to check this website for the status of the prescribed burn.

Why does the Army conduct prescribed burns? Burns are conducted to both encourage recovery of endangered fire dependent plant species and to facilitate continued munitions clean-up. To protect sensitive species, the prescribed burn season is limited in duration from July to December.

How can I be notified about prescribed burns? The Army’s Direct Notification Program provides messages when a prescribed burn is imminent. Enroll in the Direct Notification Program (Click Here) and choose from notifications by email, SMS text message, a phone call or a combination of all three.  Messages will be sent during the following phases of the prescribed burn:

  • Mobilization: A prescribed burn is imminent and could occur any time
  • Ignition: A prescribed burn has been ignited
  • Completion: A prescribed burn has been completed

Note: Even if you registered in previous years, you must re-register each year.

Where will the 2025 prescribed burn take place? Unit A in the Fort Ord National Monument. See map below for the location of Unit A and prescribed burn containment lines (fuel breaks). Click to enlarge.

How can I be prepared for the prescribed burn? The Army is working with environmental regulatory agencies to conduct the prescribed burn in a manner that minimizes smoke impacts to surrounding communities. If you have concerns about exposure to smoke you may want to take reasonable precautions to avoid or reduce exposure during any burn. The following suggestions are offered:

  • Listen to public service advisories and be alert for further information.
  • Close up your home by shutting windows and doors.
  • Avoid strenuous work or exercise outdoors.
  • If you have heart, vascular or lung disease, including asthma, talk with your health care provider prior to the burn season to make plans.

For More Information:

Will there be trail & road closures? Yes, there will be temporary trail and road closures while work is being conducted. For updates on work status and trail closures visit the BLM Area B webpage (Click Here).  Updates will also be posted in the Army’s information kiosks located at popular recreational access points.

What is necessary to consider a burn? The Army has developed a burn prescription which describes the appropriate combinations of atmospheric conditions and moisture levels in the vegetation under which the burn will be conducted. The burn prescription is designed to facilitate good smoke behavior and burn control.

The Army’s prescribed burn program at Fort Ord is conducted as part of the munitions cleanup program. A burn encourages recovery of endangered fire dependent plant species and facilitates continued munitions clean-up. To protect sensitive species, the prescribed burn season is limited to summer and fall from July to December of each year. Days that meet the burn prescription usually occur in the fall months.

Links to Burn Program Reports and Documents.

Questions?

Call us toll free at 1-800-852-9699 for additional information.

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