Don’t panic — Friday’s fire in Glen Ellen is a planned burn

Don’t be alarmed if you see or smell smoke in the Glen Ellen area to tomorrow. There will be a fire, but it’s a controlled burn on the Bouverie Preserve on Friday, June 14 from 8:30 a.m. to about noon.

The property fronts Highway 12 near the Arnold Drive stop light. Slow traffic is expected.

The burn will be conducted under a burn permit issued by CAL FIRE, according to the Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Authority — do not call 911.

The 27-acre burn is the first at Bouverie since the 2017 Nuns Fire. It’s part of a new regional plan for fire and vegetation management developed by the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative.

Additional controlled burns under the Collaborative’s plan may be conducted at Sonoma Valley Regional Park later this month.

The burns are timed to reduce non-native and invasive plants, promote native bunchgrasses and native wildflowers. Learn more