Medusahead Grassland Prescribed Burn

The Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) is proposing to implement a prescribed fire within the Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve. The purpose of the burn is to improve grassland health and landscape resiliency, enhance biodiversity and ecosystem function, and improve public and firefighter safety through reduced wildfire intensity and spread potential. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: MCOSD proposes to implement a prescribed fire within the 22-acre grassland burn unit at Roy’s Redwoods. The project area has been identified by fire officials and MCOSD staff as an area to reintroduce prescribed fire under controlled conditions to mimic ecological fire regimes historically present in the area. The proposed project is designed to reduce grassland fuel loads, reduce medusahead grass (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and other invasive annual grasses that displace native species, enhance native perennial grass and forb cover, and restore natural ecological processes related to fire. A hand crew would prepare for the prescribed fire by establishing and reinforcing perimeter control lines, including using string trimmers to create mowed areas and using hand tools to scrape vegetation and expose bare mineral soil within a 2- 3-foot wide area. Woody shrubs or branches near the control lines would be cut back for the safety of personnel and to maximize function of the control line to keep fire inside the burn unit. Cut material would be minimal and would be distributed either inside or outside the burn unit. No mature trees would be removed. The prescribed fire would be conducted within a narrow, pre-established burn window, likely during late spring or early summer, but possibly in the fall. Frequency of burning would be determined after observing site conditions and would be based on what is most likely to achieve ecological objectives. Burning would occur under approved weather and fuel conditions that meet the burn plan prescription. Ignition methods would consist of hand-lighting with drip torches and/or fusees. All smoke management actions would follow the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Smoke Management Plan, including public notification, real-time weather checks, and contingency planning. All work would occur within previously disturbed grassland areas and would not expand the footprint of park facilities or alter land use patterns. No ground disturbance beyond scraping the surface and minor vegetation modification would occur. Initial implementation of the proposed project would begin in June 2026. The proposed project would be implemented by the Marin County Fire Department’s Tam Crew(s) (Tam Crew) and/or Foundry Crew. Up to four crews may be working at the same time. All work would be performed between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Treatment areas would be accessed from existing roads and trails to the maximum extent feasible. Vehicles and equipment would not be staged on private property. Equipment may include chainsaws and fuel, loppers, pole pruners, scraping and digging tools, and other similar handheld tools. Use of tracked equipment within the proposed project area would be limited to the footprint of existing road cuts. During the prescribed fire operation, equipment may include water tanks, hoses, drip torches, fuel, chainsaws, and digging tools. No new roads would be created as part of the proposed project. Existing roads, trails including the Redwoods Loop Trail and portions of the Spirit Rock Trail, or other project areas may be closed to the public for their safety during and after project implementation until hazards are reduced to typical conditions in natural areas. Except for the compliance with BAAQMD regulations and Calfire burn permit, no regulatory permit authorizations are required to implement the proposed project.