MEDIA ADVISORY: Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve to Reopen Friday Following Sierra Fire

Authority staff on site monitoring; Conservation grazing helped slow the blaze

SAN JOSÉ, Calif. (June 25, 2026) The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) announces that Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve will reopen Friday, June 26, at regular hours, following completion of mop-up operations on the Sierra Fire. The 5-acre fire broke out on the evening of June 24 near the Boccardo Trail switchbacks in the preserve’s east hills. The San Jose Fire Department, CALFIRE Santa Clara Unit, Spring Valley Volunteer Fire and Alum Rock Park rangers, supported by Authority field staff, responded rapidly and stopped forward progress on all sides by approximately 1:00 a.m. 

The Authority extends its appreciation to all responding agencies for their rapid and coordinated efforts. The cause of the fire is under active investigation with the San Jose Fire Department serving as lead agency.

Conservation Grazing Helped Slow the Fire

The Authority also highlights the important role its conservation grazing program played in reducing the intensity of the Sierra Fire. Recent grazing in the Boccardo pasture significantly reduced dry vegetation, one of the primary goals of fuel-reduction grazing. This created a natural buffer that helped slow the fire’s spread and prevented it from becoming more destructive, giving firefighters critical time and space to contain it quickly.

“We’re grateful for the swift, coordinated response from all of our firefighting partners and we look forward to welcoming the community back to Sierra Vista as soon as it’s safe to do so,” said General Manager Andrea Mackenzie. “This incident is a clear example of how thoughtful stewardship of our natural lands strengthens community safety. The area that burned at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve had just undergone a cycle of conservation grazing, which reduced fuels and kept the fire behavior low and slow. Without the recent grazing in the Boccardo pasture, the Sierra Fire could have been far more destructive. Open space, when managed intentionally, provides resilience, natural buffers and the room firefighters need to do their jobs safely.”

Planned Early Closure on July 4, 2026

Due to extreme fire risk, Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve will close early at 3 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks are never permitted at open space preserves. Even “safe and sane” fireworks can send sparks into dry vegetation, creating dangerous ignition conditions.

For the most up-to-date information on preserve hours and opening status, visit openspaceauthority.org.

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About the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority conserves the natural environment, supports agriculture, and connects people to nature, by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations. Since 1993, the Authority has protected almost 30,000 acres of open space, natural areas and working lands, watersheds, and wildlife habitat – providing ecologically friendly outdoor recreation and preserving the natural beauty and environmental health of the Santa Clara Valley. For more information, please visit openspaceauthority.org

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