Briceland Volunteer Fire Department

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.

This project is being led by the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District in collaboration with multiple organizations including Briceland Fire, the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council, Trees Foundation, and cultural partners from Native Health in Native Hands and Hybrid Indigenous Stewardship.

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:

http://www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov

https://humboldtrcd.org/projects/wildfire-resiliency-planning-for-mail-ridge/

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

#CAClimateInvestments #CALFIRE_ForestHealth

Local Humboldt Co. fire resources again answer the call with a new deployment, this time a bit closer to home. On Wednesday, August 27th T/F 2075 was assigned to Dillon Fire just to our north in neighboring Siskiyou County. L to R in the photo, Briceland E5436 joined Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department E7434, Humboldt Bay Fire E8136, Redway Fire Protection District WT5862 and Shelter Cove Fire Department E5116 on our first Task Force assignment. Arcata Fire Chief W. Peabody is the Task Force leader and Shelter Cove Fire Department Chief Pape is T/F leader Trainee.

A Task Force differs from a Strike Team in that the resources are not all the same type. The combination of various types of fire apparatus can give added flexibility and independence to the team. In this case, the addition of Redway’s Water Tender ensures a constant water supply to the other four Type 3 wildland engines that are currently engaged in structure protection in the rural communities adjacent to the fire.