In support of a scheduled cultural burn, Johnson Ranch Open Space will be temporarily closed on Friday. 

The SLO County Air Pollution Control District (SLO County APCD) announced today, in coordination with CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire Department, the City of San Luis Obispo, and yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe of SLO Region and County to provide the public with information in preparation for a cultural burn at the Johnson Ranch Open Space property, located on Ontario Road in San Luis Obispo, west of Highway 101.

The proposed five-acre burn is set to occur on Friday, November 22, 2024. However, depending on the meteorological conditions, the cultural burn could be moved or postponed. For trail status information regarding any of the City's Open Space Trails, please visit www.slorangers.org. 

Smoke will be present in nearby communities on the day of the prescribed burn. The SLO County APCD will be working collaboratively with all involved agencies to ensure up-to-date air quality information is provided to the public. Children, the elderly, and those that already have a respiratory condition are the most susceptible to the health impacts of smoke and should use caution if they smell smoke. 

This cultural burn is an interagency operation hosted by yak tit?u tit?u yak ti?hini Northern Chumash Tribe with support from CAL FIRE/ San Luis Obispo County Fire Department and SLO City Fire. 

What is a Cultural Burn? 
Indigenous Tribes of California have had a relationship with fire for over 10,000 years and recognize its role and responsibility to support life on the land.

These cultural burns are controlled, often smaller burns, that are led by Indigenous fire practitioners for the purpose of revitalizing plants, reducing wildfire risk, enhancing habitat, and broadly maintaining Indigenous lifeways and native ecosystems.

Similar to prescribed burns, cultural burns are an important tool used to minimize fire hazards and the likelihood of uncontrolled future wildfires that would have the potential to induce significant air quality impacts on the local community.

The burn is dependent on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions are not as desired, the burn may be rescheduled, or pushed later.

SLO County APCD will continue to closely monitor air pollution levels throughout the region. Visit the APCD website slocleanair.org/air-quality/air-forecasting-map.php to see current air quality conditions and forecasts for SLO County. Sign up to receive air quality text messages through the AirAware text notification system. 

In support of the scheduled cultural burn on Friday, City Parks and Recreation Director Greg Avakian has authorized the temporary closure of the Johnson Ranch Open Space by the authority granted in section 12.22.050.C, Authority to Close of the City’s Municipal Code. In addition, the City has authorized specific members of the yak tityu tityu yak tilhini Northern Chumash Tribe to stay overnight on the property in support of the cultural burn.  

Section 12.22.050.C in full is as follows: Authority to Close. Any section or part of the city’s open space lands may be declared closed to the public by the director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise), and either entirely or merely to certain uses, as the director finds reasonably necessary.