> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Why did officials cut the Angel Island burn short? - URL: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/10/community/why-did-officials-cut-angel-island-burn-short/ - Published: 2026-09-10T23:45:19.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-11T00:01:54.000Z - Description: Fire officials took to Facebook to explain their position. - Author: Emilie Raguso - Tags: Community, Berkeley Fire, Wildfire, #articles Authorities cut short a [controlled burn on Angel Island](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/08/community/smoke-in-berkeley-controlled-burn-underway-on-angel-island/#comments) this week following air quality concerns and questions from the public. Tuesday's burn covered 62 acres and consumed "50-70% of the fuels within the burn plots," said firefighter Sean Jerry of [Cal Fire's Sonoma Lake Napa Unit](https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRELNU/) in a Facebook video this week. In the post, Jerry joined Graham Groneman, from the [Marin County Fire Department](https://www.marincounty.gov/departments/fire?ref=berkeleyscanner.com), and Naftali Moed, from [California State Parks](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?ref=berkeleyscanner.com), to "[address some of the concerns we've been hearing](https://www.facebook.com/reel/4472259229758196) regarding smoke impacts" from the Angel Island burn. Many local residents questioned the timing of the operation, particularly after the [Bay Area Air Quality Management District](https://www.baaqmd.gov/?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) (BAAQMD) issued a Spare the Air alert on Tuesday for Wednesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, a [heat advisory](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/09/08/community/berkeley-issues-extreme-heat-alert/) was also in effect. Writing Tuesday night on Facebook, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said the Angel Island burn had "caused a [high level of harmful Particulate Matter](https://www.facebook.com/supervisorgioia/posts/pfbid0EtAe7dYwNmgvB7n3vWqi82rYZoqwuzLh9Bti6Tf7a5rdFpHDviyWHzrNqgp1g58Sl) (PM) in West Contra Costa County" that day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8e/3b/8e3bb516-9b88-46c2-aa85-566ed9c3647c/content/images/2026/09/799347210_1706648550417203_8991721415488316294_n.jpg) Firefighters at work during Tuesday's prescribed burn on Angel Island. **Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit* He wrote that the next day's controlled burn had been canceled "due to air quality issues." In the Facebook video, Groneman said authorities look closely at local forecasts before scheduling prescribed burns "in close conjunction" with BAAQMD to try to minimize community impacts. "We work closely with the Air District to evaluate weather forecasts to try and really align these types of projects with the least impactful weather conditions that we can find," he said. "And we really look for those small windows that have the greatest ability to disperse the smoke in the least impactful manner." Groneman said officials first assess whether a burn can be done safely. Then they look at potential smoke impacts. "There were smoke impacts, and we acknowledge that," he said, quickly adding: "The impacts that we'll see from uncontrolled wildfire are much greater." Moed, from the park service, described prescribed fire as "a critical tool" for land management and keeping plants healthy enough to sustain local wildlife. Jerry noted that Tuesday's burn had started before Wednesday's Spare the Air alert was announced. After it was, authorities decided to cancel the next two days of scheduled burns and instead focus on cleanup. "We're always going to strive to do our best to reduce impacts to the community from smoke while balancing the need to get this work done and do so in a safe manner," Moed said. *Read the* [*Sept. 4 Facebook announcement*](https://www.facebook.com/Angelislandsp/posts/pfbid0xQ2kkpJpEHn36vWKnXXc4jBTxwtFNzSSSUfqTZ7CrTPeXLTna8tzmBqncLH5Y2Ghl) *and* [*updated press release*](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page%5Fid=31756&ref=berkeleyscanner.com) *about the controlled burn at Angel Island State Park.* ## Sign up for The Berkeley Scanner Authoritative public safety and politics news coverage in Berkeley, CA Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.