PRESERVE NOTICE

Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Continues Multi-Year Prescribed Burn Research Project

Where: Ventura River Steelhead Preserve and Birdsong Ranch
Friday, June 6, 2025 from 8am-5pm

THINGS TO KNOW (QUICK FACTS)

  • The burn will cover 40 acres across OVLC’s Ventura River Steelhead Preserve and neighboring Birdsong Ranch (formerly Nye Ranch).

  • This project is designed to reduce invasive species like yellow star-thistle and support the return of native plant communities.

  • Smoke may be visible near Casitas Springs during the operation.

  • The burn will be low-intensity and carried out under the supervision of the Ventura County Fire Department.

  • The burn area will be closed to the public—only authorized personnel and project partners will be allowed on-site.

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC), in partnership with local and regional agencies, is preparing for a second year of prescribed burns as part of an ongoing ecological restoration research project. The project, launched in 2023, investigates how prescribed fire and broadcast seeding can restore native plant communities, reduce invasive species like yellow star-thistle, and support long-term ecosystem health.

The upcoming prescribed burn is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 6, 2025 from 8am-5pm, weather and conditions permitting. The operation will span 40 acres across two adjacent properties: OVLC’s Ventura River Steelhead Preserve and the privately owned Birdsong Ranch (formerly Nye Ranch), located west of Casitas Springs. The project site has a history of agriculture and grazing, and both properties share similar soil and vegetation characteristics ideal for comparative restoration.

The project is a collaborative effort between OVLC, the Ventura County Fire Department, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Ventura County Resource Conservation District, the Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association, and the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District.

This year’s work will continue the experimental design established in 2023, with burned and unburned plots divided into seeded and unseeded treatments. Researchers will collect data on vegetation cover, species richness, and the density of key invasive and native species to better understand how repeated fire and seeding treatments influence plant community dynamics over time. Additional monitoring will continue through at least 2026, with a goal of extending through 2029.

The Ventura County Fire Department will oversee the burn operation, with extensive personnel and equipment on-site to ensure public safety and burn control. Residents in surrounding areas should be aware that smoke will be visible during the burn days. Smoke may be visible near Casitas Springs on the day of the burn. Fire officials advise that this is a planned and controlled operation, but residents should always call 911 if they believe they see an emergency. OVLC sees prescribed burns as a critical tool not only for ecological restoration but also for building fire resilience and promoting community safety. The findings from this project will inform best practices for land management across Ventura County and beyond.

The prescribed burn is expected to remain low in intensity, with short flame lengths and slow-moving fire behavior. Fire will primarily creep through the grasses rather than producing tall flames, especially in areas with green or moist vegetation. The goal is not to create a high-heat fire, but rather to reduce invasive species and encourage native plant recovery in a carefully controlled and safe manner.

The prescribed burn is not open to the public for viewing or attendance. For everyone’s safety and to ensure operations run smoothly, only authorized personnel and project partners will be allowed on-site during the burn. We appreciate the community’s cooperation in respecting these boundaries.

Have Questions? Call our office at (805) 649-6852 or email us at info@ovlc.org. Thank you!