Angwin, Calif. – Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (Napa Firewise), in partnership with Pacific Union College (PUC) and supported by CAL FIRE and the Napa Prescribed Burn Association (Napa PBA), is planning a three-day prescribed burn on PUC’s Forest property in Angwin from Tuesday, December 9 through Thursday, December 11, pending a successful test burn and verification that conditions are within prescription.
Why Conditions Matter
This burn was originally scheduled for mid-November but was postponed after recent rains elevated fuel moisture beyond safe and effective burn parameters. As with all prescribed fires, dates remain fluid until weather, fuel conditions, and smoke dispersion forecasts are favorable.
Two key factors determine whether ignition can proceed:
1. Fuel moisture: Measures water content in vegetation. When fuels are too wet, fire will not carry, resulting in patchy or ineffective treatment.
2. Relative Humidity (RH): High humidity slows fire spread and increases risk for lingering smoke. The ideal RH for this project is 70% or lower.
Napa Firewise and partners monitor real-time conditions through RAWS (Remote Automated Weather Stations) and on-site measurements. Earlier this year, CAL FIRE installed a portable weather station adjacent to Las Posadas to provide accurate, site-specific data for future prescribed burns, and this information is publicly accessible here. With forecasts continuing to trend favorably, Napa Firewise will issue a confirmation press release Monday morning, December 8, following the weekend test burn and a review of site-specific weather factors such as fuel moisture, wind, humidity, and smoke dispersion, closer to the ignition window.
Project Overview
The burn will treat 67 acres and connect previous and planned CAL FIRE and PUC/Napa Firewise burn units to strengthen the Howell Mountain shaded fuel break and improve forest health and wildfire resiliency across the Howell Mountain corridor including the community of Angwin.
More than 200 hours of site preparation have reduced hazardous ladder fuels, much of it storm-related downed trees and tanoak regeneration, while preserving mature trees and sensitive species. Reintroducing low-intensity fire will improve forest structure, reduce future wildfire severity, and support long-term ecological health. Trails in the immediate vicinity of the burn area will be closed during operations.
This prescribed burn represents a collaborative effort among CAL FIRE, Napa County Fire, Napa Firewise, PUC, Prometheus Consulting, and the Napa Prescribed Burn Association (PBA), in addition to the Napa and Yola Resource Conservation Districts. Together, these partners are implementing a science-based approach to strengthen forest resilience and reduce the risk of severe wildfire impacts.
Prescribed Fire Planning and Safety
The planned prescribed burn will comply with all Bay Area Air District requirements. Residents may notice smoke in the area throughout the week, especially overnight, which will be carefully monitored and managed to minimize impacts.
PUC will offer a clean-air space in the campus dining commons from December 9–11, 7:30am-7pm for those who may be affected. View the location on the campus map here.
Prescribed burning proceeds only when weather, fuel conditions, ecological goals, and safety criteria align. If conditions are not favorable—as occurred in November—ignition will be postponed. When conditions are appropriate, trained PBA members and in this case, professionals, will conduct the burn under the supervision and support of CAL FIRE and Napa County Fire personnel, who will assist with ignition, control lines, and ongoing monitoring of fire behavior. Following completion, crews will patrol and monitor the project area into the night and over the following days to ensure safety and containment.
Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Forest Health Program, as part of the California Climate Investments Program, through a grant to The Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (www.NapaFirewise.org).
For more information about fire safety or controlled burning and its benefits, visit fire.ca.gov. For real-time updates on this prescribed burn, including any schedule changes and more information, please visit www.NapaFirewise.org/PUCburn.
About California Climate Investments
Napa’s Howell Mountain Corridor: Forest Ecotone and Fire Resiliency Restoration Project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program using Cap-and-Trade funds to reduce GHG emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities. At least 35 percent of these investments directly benefit residents of low-income and disadvantaged communities. For more information, visit www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.
About Napa Communities Firewise Foundation
The Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (Napa Firewise) is a countywide nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening wildfire resilience across Napa County through land stewardship, strategic fuel management, and community preparedness. Napa Firewise works with residents, landowners, fire agencies, and partners to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest and ecosystem health, and support fire-adapted communities. Learn more at https://napafirewise.org.
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Media Contact:
Stephanie Smithers
Marketing & Communications Manager, Napa Communities Firewise Foundation
stephanie@napafirewise.org | 909-786-9208