East County residents and a fire official have voiced their concerns over a prescribed burn which is scheduled to be conducted by the California State Parks service in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

“My opinion, not wise.” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Los Angeles. DiGiovanna questions why a burn would be done in mid-summer during Drought conditions. “I don't have all the facts," he acknowledges, "however, fuel moisture content is the lowest ever. We have bone dry Drought conditions. We have over 11,000 firefighters on the west fighting multiple major blazes. Aircraft, resources, personnel are stripped thin. We risk it? What if it gets away?”

Although the fire is apparently in a dry marsh area rather than a forested area there are concerns after a prescribed burn conducted by Cal Fire in 2013, leapt out of control turning into the San Felipe wildfire, charring over 2,800 acres which included vast tracts of wilderness.

The burn is intended to reduce fuel and overall fire risk while “improving natural habitat for native species.” According to the Parks service who have indicated that they would cancel the burn if weather conditions were unfavourable.

Having slated for the burn to be in the Carrizo Marsh Area, the southern portion of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a closure order was put into effect for Carrizo Marsh which includes the South Carrizo Creek access road.