San Jose and Santa Clara in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, complained of smoke amid the prescribed vegetation burn on Angel Island.  

Updated on: Sep 24, 2026, 07:05:19 IST

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San Jose and Santa Clara residents feared there was a fire on September 23. This came amid heavy smoke in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. The smoke is due to a prescribed vegetation burn on Angel Island.

At the time of writing, there are no reports of active blazes in either San Jose or Santa Clara. The former is about 53 miles away from Angel Island while Santa Clara is about 4-5 miles away from San Jose.

San Jose and Santa Clara residents complain of smoke

Several news outlets took note of the smoke in the Bay Area amid the prescribed vegetation burn.

“For anyone smelling smoke today, it is from the prescribed vegetation burn on Angel Island that resumed today after a two-week pause. The preventative operation by CAL FIRE and Marin County Fire has caused visible smoke and campfire odors across San Francisco and the East Bay. The prescribed burn is expected to run into tomorrow. The operation is expected to burn some 260-acres overall. Angel Island is the largest island in San Francisco Bay at one square mile and is visible from many surrounding Bay Area communities. Many Bay Area residents are likely to see smoke from the burns from 9 AM to 6 PM,” a local news channel noted.

The San Francisco Chronicle added “That smoky smell hanging over parts of the Bay Area isn’t a new wildfire. It is coming from Angel Island, where fire crews resumed a prescribed burn.”

Angel Island burn sparks fears of fire

Though the vegetation burn on Angel Island was prescribed, the smell of the smoke led to fears among locals.

“Something’s on fire,” one wrote, adding, “Yea it’s really BAD in the Richmond area.” Another said “Yea…we smelled it up here in hilltop and in El Sobrante! And it was Smokey a lil bit.” Yet another remarked “It smells bad here at Downtown Oakland.”

Meanwhile, many pointed out that it was coming from Angel Island. “Yes, I believe the smell is coming from the burn on Angel Island. It’s pretty bad. I just had to shut all my windows because the smell is so strong,” one said.

Angel Island prescribed burns notice

A notice was issued by California State Parks about the prescribed burn on Angel Island. “Prescribed Burn at Angel Island State Park to Continue as Early as Sept. 23. After pausing of the September 8th prescribed burn at Angel Island Island State Park, California State Parks, in partnership with CAL FIRE and the Marin County Fire Department, plan to continue the prescribed burn as early as Wednesday, Sept. 23 to Thursday, Sept. 24,” it read.

“Community members should refrain from calling 911 to report smoke from Angel Island to avoid overwhelming emergency dispatchers. Prescribed burns conducted in State Parks promote habitat improvement and reduce fuel loads that have accumulated in the absence of historically frequent, low-intensity fires. All burning is dependent upon wildfire activity, resource availability, weather conditions, predicted smoke movement and fuel moisture. If conditions are not conducive, the burn will be rescheduled,” the notice added.

“Trail Closures at Angel Island State Park: Ida Trail, Sunset Trail, the fire road and Perimeter Road may be closed on and immediately following burn days. For more updates keep checking Angel Island State Park social media and the park webpage or use the Watch Duty app to see burn operations updates,” the statement also noted.

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