Huestis Rock Prescribed Burn

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Briceland Fire

Huestis Rock Prescribed Burn

Southern Humboldt County, CA — June 12-14 2026

The Briceland Volunteer Fire Department, in partnership with the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (RCD), the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association (HCPBA), CAL FIRE, participating landowners, and community partners, implemented the Huestis Rock Prescribed Burn, a 102 acre prescribed fire located on Mail Ridge near Dyerville Loop Road. Additionally, on Sunday June 14th, BVFD provided planning and logistical support to the adjacent 33 acre Ft. Seward Goatgrass burn led by landowners and the HCPBA.

This prescribed burn is designed to improve rangeland health by targeting the invasive grass species Barbed Goatgrass and Medusahead, increasing wildfire resilience and supporting long-term stewardship objectives on private lands. By strategically applying low-intensity fire under carefully monitored conditions, project partners aim to reduce the risk of future high-severity wildfires while promoting healthy ecosystem function.

The Huestis Rock Burn represents a collaborative effort among local fire agencies, landowners, and community organizations working together to restore the beneficial role of fire on the landscape and improve wildfire preparedness throughout Southern Humboldt. Funding for this has been provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Forest Health Program, through the North Coast Resource Partnership, as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: http://www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov

More information about the Huestis project can be found at: https://humboldtrcd.org/projects/wildfire-resiliency-planning-for-mail-ridge/

https://www.northcoastresourcepartnershipprojects.org/Project/Detail/17696

#CAClimateInvestments #CALFIRE_ForestHealth

(https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/grants/forest-health)

(https://humboldtrcd.org)

(https://humboldtgov.org/FireSafeCouncil)

(https://treesfoundation.org)

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Posted on June 9, 2026 by Briceland Fire

BRICELAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA, JUNE 16, 2026, 3:00 PM

BRICELAND FIRE STATION and ONLINE (see below)

1. Call to Order
a. Announcement: Meeting is being recorded
b. Introduction of Board Members
2. Purpose of meeting: Deliberation of a Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Briceland Fire Protection District Supporting the Transfer of the Crooked Prairie Response Area Through the Proposed Mattole Fire Protection District Reorganization.
a. Reading of Resolution
b. Financial analysis
3. Presentations by TRVFD, BVFD, LAFCo/County, Crooked PrairieCommunity Association (5 minutes max. each).
a. Board discussion and questions
4. Public Comments (3 minutes max. each)
a. Board discussion and questions
5. Vote on Resolution (with amendments if necessary.)
6. Adjourn

 

Topic: BFPD Special Meeting
Time: Jun 16, 2026 03:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 845 1732 1006
Passcode: 381962
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Southern Humboldt Comes Together for WRD

Posted on June 8, 2026 by Briceland Fire

To everyone who attended, instructed, supported, and helped make the 2026 Wildland Readiness Drill possible—thank you!!

Seeing volunteers from across our region come together to train, learn, and support one another was a powerful reminder of what makes the Southern Humboldt fire service so special. The dedication, professionalism, and teamwork displayed throughout the day reflect the commitment each of you brings to protecting our communities. This event has always been about more than annual refresher training. It’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and ensuring that when our communities need us most, we are ready to respond together.

This event represents years of collaboration among volunteer fire departments, regional partners and organizations that share a common goal: improving wildfire preparedness and building a more resilient region. The level of engagement, enthusiasm, and professionalism displayed by all attendees reflects the strength of the Southern Humboldt fire service and our collective commitment to protecting our communities.

Over 200 participants took part in the Wildland Readiness Drill this year, including students completing the Southern Humboldt Wildland Fire Academy, support personnel, instructors, members of CalFire HUU, the Kneeland Helitack crew aboard Copter 604, and the REACH Air Medical helicopter team.

Participants engaged in a full day of hands-on training emphasizing firefighter safety, operational decision-making, coordinated field operations, and standardized wildland firefighting practices. Training activities included progressive hoselay operations, handline construction, equipment and hardware familiarization, fire shelter deployment, and air operations.

On behalf of Briceland Volunteer Fire Department, thank you for your time, hard work, and continued commitment to firefighter safety and regional cooperation. We are grateful for every participant, instructor, partner agency, and supporter who helped make this year’s drill a success. Special thanks to the Southern Humboldt Community Park for hosting us, to CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit, Reach Air Medical Services, the Mattole Restoration Council and support from local representatives from the offices of Mike McGuire, County Supervisor Michelle Bushnell and the Southern Humboldt Business and Visitor’s Bureau, and for funding provided through Humboldt County Measure Z Public Safety/Essential Services, the California State Coastal Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Program, and Redwood Region RISE California Jobs First funding, supporting firefighter training, emergency response capacity, workforce development, and regional wildfire resilience.

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2026 Southern Humboldt Wildland Readiness Drill

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Briceland Fire

Sunday, June 7th 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM 

@ Southern Humboldt Community Park in Garberville.

Hosted by Briceland Volunteer Fire Department with extensive support from neighboring departments and regional partners, the Wildland Readiness Drill brings together volunteer firefighters for one of the largest cooperative wildland refresher events of its kind. The training is designed to strengthen regional wildfire response capabilities by preparing fireline personnel for operational decision-making, coordinated field operations, interoperability, standardized practices, and firefighter safety through realistic, multi-agency training scenarios.

Training modules include progressive hoselay operations, handline construction, equipment and hardware familiarization, fire shelter deployment, and air operations. The exercise emphasizes standardized practices, risk mitigation, and multi-agency coordination essential during large wildfire incidents. Upon completion, participants will receive NWCG RT-130 Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher certification and NWCG S-130 Field Exercise credit.

The event will also showcase regional wildland firefighting capacity, including ten new Type 6 fire engines delivered through California 2nd district Senator McGuire’s Type 6 Engine Project and four additional Type 6 engines funded through Humboldt Co. Measure Z. After many years of being hosted by Briceland VFD, it is projected that Southern Humboldt Fire & Rescue, a newly formed Joint Powers Alliance made up of 13 Southern Humboldt fire departments will become the official host of this annual event after this year.

Expect to see a significant increase in local traffic, numerous fire apparatus including potential aircraft from emergency response agencies in the area for this drill.

Funding for this drill is provided through Humboldt County Measure Z Public Safety/Essential Services, the California State Coastal Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Program, and Redwood Region RISE California Jobs First funding, supporting firefighter training, emergency response capacity, workforce development, and regional wildfire resilience.

For registration or additional information please contact; admin@sohumfire.org

 

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2026 Southern Humboldt Wildland Fire Academy

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Briceland Fire

Wild Acad Flyer 2026.docx

Posted in Southern Humboldt Fire & Rescue, Trainings | Leave a comment

2026 Department Games in Redway

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Briceland Fire

Great photo by Kim Sallaway of Briceland VFD members Khoi Nyugen, Thomas Dobson and Landon Totten in action at the Southern Humboldt Fire Department Games this past Sat. April 25th.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/473436942760018/posts/25637183172625381/

 

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Briceland Fire Protection District Meeting; 4/12/26 @ 15:30

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Briceland Fire

BRICELAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Meeting Agenda May 12, 2026, 3:30 pm
Briceland Fire Station

Approve agenda
Approve minutes of last meeting
BFPD fiscal report (Diane)
Warrant to release funds for Post Office Box renewal – vote to approve and sign
Warrant to transfer funds to BFPD‘s reserve account – vote to approve and sign
Warrant to release funds to BVFD – vote to approve and sign
Report on annually required filing of forms:
– CA Government Compensation
– County Auditor-Controller's List of Approved Signers
Schedule July date for the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) public meeting and designate
board member to organize and host
Renewal of biennial BVFD and TRFPD MOUs – vote to approve and sign
BVFD report
Public comment / Announcements
Next meeting: August 4 at 3:30 pm
Adjourn

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Briceland Fire’s Newest Fire Engine Arrives In Quarters

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Briceland Fire

We have at long last the newest addition to our fire fighting apparatus; our BRAND NEW Type 6 engine! This marks the first time our department has ever had a new engine and it will soon inherit the E5446 designator from our hard working 2001 Ford 450.

Originally announced by State District 1 Senator Mike McGuire back in August of 2023, $2m in State funding was allocated to purchase 10 new Type 6 engines for volunteer fire departments including Briceland, Garberville, Palo Verde, Telegraph Ridge, and Whitethorn in southern Humboldt as well as Covelo, Laytonville, Leggett, Piercy and Westport in northern Mendocino county.

Local news outlet Kym Kemp covered this story most recently in February when our neighbors in Telegraph Ridge received theirs. Although the grant funding and build out process took quite some time,  it didn’t take long to get a call to action. As C5400 was en route from Oregon with the truck just entering the Briceland Fire District for the first time, an emergency medical situation unfolded and, before ever being stowed away at our Fire Station, it was in service responding code 3.

 

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Congratulations to the 2026 Fire Academy Graduates!

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Briceland Fire

Congratulations to Briceland VFD members Lela Benson, Landon Totten and Tabitha Telezinski, as well as to all the recent graduates of the 2026 Southern Humboldt Regional Fire Academy! This is an arduous, 2-month long course covering structure firefighting and medical rescue requiring 170 hours of study, hands-on training and hard work. Thank you to all the dedicated trainees and experienced instructors who gave their time to help improve our region’s technical expertise in emergency response.

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Open House – Feb. 21st 2026

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Briceland Fire

Thank you to all that attended our Open House at the Tim Olsen Memorial Fire Station in ‘downtown’ Briceland on February 21, 2026!

A Vision Realized: The History of the Tim Olsen Memorial Fire Station

The vision for Briceland’s new fire station began decades ago in the 1970s, when Beginnings —our founding organization— secured a one-acre parcel in downtown Briceland with the long-term goal of constructing a fire station to serve the area. That early investment reflected a forward-thinking commitment to public safety that would span generations. Briceland Volunteer Fire was officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2008 and began saving funds to support this ambitious construction project.

One of the key visionaries behind this effort was Tim Olsen, who served as C5400 Briceland Fire Chief from 1999 until 2014. Following his passing in 2014, it was decided that the new station would bear his name in recognition of his leadership and lasting commitment to regional emergency preparedness.

Funding for the station was made possible with community fundraising events, generous private donations, and paid operational assignments with CAL FIRE and CAL OES with our department providing local station coverage and emergency response to major wildfires statewide. The department also received grant funding from Coast Central Credit Union and Vocality Community Credit Union, along with a significant allocation from Humboldt County’s Measure Z public safety fund.

In 2020, building plans were formally approved, and ground was broken later that year. Construction of the main apparatus bay and structural components was completed in 2021. Interior build-out, including office space, a training room, restrooms, and a kitchen were started in 2022. 

The station serves not only as a modern operational base with adequate apparatus storage and meeting space, but also as a regional training hub. The facility has hosted emergency medical, fire and technical rescue trainings for first responders from neighboring departments across Humboldt and Mendocino counties, strengthening interagency coordination and regional preparedness.

Now that we have finished most of the final touches, we wish to share this vision and to open up for all the community for the first time.

 

 

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