MENDOCINO FOREST SUPERVISOR SIGNS FOREST-WIDE FUEL
MANAGEMENT PLAN
What makes this even more of a seminal moment is the
decision authorizes a Forest-wide fire and fuels management strategy to
dramatically increase the pace and scale of fire related projects to protect
natural landscapes, cultural resources, and recreation facilities.
Don Amador, OHV recreation professional and co-founder of
FSM, states, “This decision notice to increase the pace and scale of forest
health and fuel projects could not have come at a better time as Forest specialists, recreationists, and other
stakeholders continue to grapple with the aftermath of the 2018 Ranch Fire and
2020 August Complex Fire.”
“Seeing Supervisor McMaster sign the decision is a
highpoint for me and validates all of the hard work done by the agency and
partners such as FireScape Mendocino to increase the number of fuel and post
fire recovery projects on the Forest,” Amador concludes.
LINK TO FS DECISION DOCUMENT SIGNED AT FSM CELEBRATION
https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/file/1514580275080
WILLOWS, Calif., April 29, 2024 — The increasing
frequency and extent of high-intensity wildfires pose a significant threat to
California’s ecosystems. To address the current wildfire crisis and restore
forest health, Forest Supervisor Wade McMaster has signed a decision on the
Mendocino Prescribed Fire and Fuels Management Strategy. McMaster signed the
document in front of a diverse group of local partners, tribal representatives
and community members at a FireScape Mendocino workshop and 10th anniversary
celebration, held in Williams, Calif.
“The Mendocino Prescribed Fire and Fuels Management
Strategy is incredibly important to me and my team, especially after we’ve had
several catastrophic, dynamic fire seasons and other challenges with insect
infestation, drought and back-to-back winters with severe storms,” said
McMaster.
“This forest-wide and multi-phased approach will allow us
to more quickly adapt to changing conditions, reduce impacts from future fire
and improve forest resilience and health.”
With this decision, forest managers can use prescribed
fire with manual and mechanical treatments to reduce the build-up of hazardous
fuels (e.g., grasses, brush, small-diameter trees, downed trees and woody
debris).
Treatments will be phased over time, targeting overly
dense forest underbrush and small trees before and after wildfires. Prescribed
fires will be applied at varying intensities, sizes, frequencies, seasons, and
places, and manual and mechanical fuels-reduction tools will be utilized up to
20,000 acres per year to achieve and maintain desired vegetative conditions.
Treatments will vary across the landscape and will depend
on several factors, including terrain, fire severity, desired conditions and
ecology. Several constraints are in place to protect key resources. The
strategy excludes treatment within Wilderness Areas and within 100-acre nest
groves for the endangered Northern Spotted Owl. Also, treatments like thinning
to reduce fuels are limited to small trees, up to 12 inches in diameter. No new
roads or landings will be constructed under the strategy.
Projects under the strategy will have to meet
site-specific conditions. Before the forest can implement in the field,
projects will be vetted by an interdisciplinary team in a screening process.
Local tribes, partners and collaborative groups like FireScape Mendocino will
also play an important role in monitoring and helping identify potential areas
for treatment.
“As we look to return fire to the landscape, our
relationships are going to be key. I am excited to work alongside our tribal
partners to incorporate cultural burning and healing as we move forward,”
McMaster said.
The Mendocino Prescribed Fire and Fuels Management
Strategy is consistent with the post-fire restoration framework and conforms to
several elements of the 2023 Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which calls for a new
paradigm to step up the pace and scale of the fuels and forest health
treatments.
More information about the Mendocino Prescribed Fire and
Fuels Management Strategy, including the decision notice and environmental
assessment are available on the project website:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/mendocino/?project=59722.
Forest Supervisor Wade McMaster signs decision notice on
the Mendocino Prescribed Fire and Fuels Management Strategy in front of
community members at FireScape Mendocino’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, Apr.
25, 2024.
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