Briceland Fire Commences Work on Major Fuels Reduction and Prescribed Fire Project on Mail Ridge
Since 2022, the Briceland Fire Fuels Module has been hard at work advancing wildfire resilience and forest health across Southern Humboldt County. Beginning with a roadside clearance project on China Creek Road, the crew has gone on to complete defensible space work on over 100 local homes, conduct roadside clearance along Salmon Creek Road, and support multiple prescribed and cultural burns from the lower Mattole to the Garberville area. These projects have strengthened wildfire preparedness throughout the region while providing critical employment opportunities for local firefighters during a challenging economic period.
The Mail Ridge Wildfire Resilience Project marks the first implementation phase of a larger, landscape-scale effort spanning the 54-mile-long crest of Mail Ridge in Southern Humboldt and northern Mendocino counties. Decades of fire exclusion and past management practices have increased the region’s vulnerability to catastrophic wildfire—threatening forest health, carbon storage, and ecosystem balance.
Phase 1 of the project includes the creation of a 24-acre ridgetop fuel break, restoration of 64 acres of oak woodland, and the application of prescribed fire across 269 acres. This work is being carried out by local firefighters and cultural fire practitioners, supporting forest resiliency through the reintroduction of fire to the landscape.
On December 12,13 and 14th, 2025, members of Briceland Fire, Telegraph Ridge Volunteer Fire, Palo Verde Volunteer Fire, Petrolia Fire, the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association and Hybrid Indigenous Stewardship met to proceed with the burning of approximately 34 acres of oak under story just before another round of wet weather moved in.
Funding for this North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) CAL FIRE Forest Health Pilot subproject was provided by CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Program, through the NCRP as part of California Climate Investments. California Climate Investments is a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and- Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low- income communities, and low-income households across California.
More information about the project can be found at:
#CAClimateInvestments #CALFIRE_ForestHealth
