See ‘good fire’ demo on Oct. 11 amid redwoods at Central Coast Fair

Learn how fire is used to manage the natural landscape at the Central Coast Good Fire Fair on Saturday, Oct. 11. The fair is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton in Santa Cruz County. 

There will be educational activities for kids and adults. See live fire demonstrations, take quizzes to win prizes and learn tips to help protect your home from wildfire. 

“While the Central Coast endured severe wildfire in 2020, we’d like to show people that some fire can be good,” said Barb Satink Wolfson, UC Cooperative Extension fire advisor for San Benito, Santa Clara, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. 

Beneficial fire can be used to remove dry grass and shrubs that could fuel a catastrophic wildfire. “Good fire” also can help plants that rely on fire to reproduce.

“You can witness a live prescribed fire in the redwood grove and learn how fire can be used to benefit our coastal ecosystems,” said Satink Wolfson.

Weather permitting, wildfire experts will light prescribed fires in the redwood grove. Kids can explore a wildland fire engine. Scientists also will lead fire science experiments, such as lighting a fire and then using a leaf blower to demonstrate how wind makes fire move faster.

Representatives of California State Parks, CAL FIRE, Indigenous groups, BurnBot and the Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association are scheduled to exhibit.

Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase from food trucks.

The Central Coast Good Fire Fair is sponsored by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Fire Network and California State Parks.

The event is free, but parking at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park costs $10. No registration required.