BLM AREA B (Northern Portion of the Fort Ord National Monument)

As part of the munitions cleanup program, the Army is preparing to conduct a prescribed burn in Unit A in 2025. Prescribed burning is used to remove vegetation to expose the ground surface, so workers can safely locate and remove explosive ordnance. Prescribed burning is also required to encourage successful recovery of the rare, threatened and endangered fire-dependent species. Prescribed burns also help reduce wildfire risks. The burn season is from July to December, although suitable weather conditions typically occur in the fall months. Visit the Prescribed Burns page to learn more and to sign up for the Direct Notification Program so you can be notified about the prescribed burn.

Update 10/8/2025: The Army is planning to conduct a prescribed burn at Fort Ord this fall. The prescribed burn will be conducted as soon as suitable conditions are identified. The federal government shutdown is currently affecting the availability of some key resources. The Army burn team is monitoring the conditions. Please continue to check this website for the status of the prescribed burn.

Unit A is currently closed pending completion of the munitions cleanup. Trails 66, 67, 68, and 69 are open. Please see current trail closure and access map below.

Please be aware that on the day of the planned burn, and for several days after it, a large area surrounding the burn area will be closed to the public. Please give the fire trucks and water shuttles safe space to operate as they conduct the burn and monitor the site until it is complete. Closure of commuter traffic roads is not planned.

After the prescribed burn is completed, Unit A will be enclosed by a temporary fence for munitions cleanup operations. Trails 66, 67, 68 and 69 will remain closed during this period.  Depending on the location of the cleanup operation on a given day, nearby areas may need to be temporarily closed for public safety. Please continue to check this website for the status of trail closure and keep to the trails and roads that are signed open.

The prescribed burn planned for Unit A was not conducted in 2018 because the required combination of weather and other factors to meet the burn prescription did not occur. The prescribed burn was postponed to a future burn season.

Thank you for complying with the temporary trail and road closures while the Army’s munitions cleanup is in progress. For your safety please Mind the Signs, and continue to call the Army’s information line (1-800-852-9699) with your feedback and if you have any questions. Thank you.

Munitions related items recovered through 3/4/2020

  • Items detonated = 719
  • Items confirmed as munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) = 450
  • Munitions Debris = 38,619.35 lbs

The map below shows current trail closures as well as Access Corridors.

View larger map

Remember the Three R’s: Recognize, Retreat, Report

While you are out in the former Fort Ord, if you recognize any object that resembles munitions or explosives, retreat to a safe location, and report the finding to 911 or local law enforcement.

In transferred former Fort Ord properties, the standard procedure is for the local law enforcement agency to request a response by a military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit or by local bomb squad with equivalent training.

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