TOPANGA CANYON—On April 15, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority announced that the scheduled burn planned for Friday, April 17, has been postponed. For public safety and unfavorable weather predictions, there will be no burning the rest of April.
The next scheduled burn will likely take place a month from now. The public will be given 72-hour notice of any new scheduled burn bans. The same 72-hour rule will apply to future scheduled burn cancellations as well.
Reports indicate that in the right environment, scheduled burns can prevent forest fires and wildfires. The negative effects of the combination of wind and arid conditions can outweigh the need to remove the dry undergrowth. In the wrong environment, the underbrush is extremely flammable.
Multiple areas in Southern California have deployed goats to eat the brush in steep terrains. Los Angeles County deployed 500 goats in an area of about 35-39 acres in the Sepulveda Basin and Corbin Canyon area.
Glendale (Verdugo Park) utilized goats to help clear the area of brush on a hillside in close proximity to residential areas.
Pasadena (Arroyo Seco) has 600 goats scheduled to graze on Saturday, April 18. Rancho Palos Verdes began using goats in early April to keep the weeds at bay.
By Sharon