James Russ, President of Round Valley
Indian Tribes Tribal Council, Explains
Recent Fuel Break Project near Covelo
Photo: Don Amador
More than fifty participants met in the
100-degree heat of Covelo, CA to learn and deepen collaborative relationships
with various stakeholders including the Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT) and
other members of this beautiful community.
The FireScape leadership team thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Round
Valley area and looks forward to visiting there again!
Gary Urdahl, Silviculturist for the Covelo Ranger District, Mendocino NF
Explains Impacts of 2012 North Pass Fire - Photo: Don Amador
The workshop kicked off with a field
trip to a RVIT fuels treatment project, where we learned about a recent fuel
break project designed to help protect the community in the event of
wildfire. FireScape applauds the work
they’ve done and wish them much success with additional projects and looks
forward to the possibility of partnering with them in the future.
Group Discussion at Field Tour Site - Photo: Don Amador
After visiting the RVIT project, we
moved on to visit areas of the 2012 North Pass Fire on the Mendocino National
Forest. It was interesting to see and
discuss the effects of the fire and learn more about the impact this fire has
had both the local community and the Forest.
Recreation Trail Still Closed from North Pass Fire Blowdown - Photo: Don Amador
An unusual lightning storm system hit
the region and started over 20 wildfires on the Mendocino, Six Rivers, and
Shasta-Trinity National Forests. Those ignitions lent an increased import to
our field trip of the North Pass Fire, which burned over 41,000 acres. Those events created a strong resolve within
the group to work together in our efforts to shape the future of our fire-prone
landscape.
BIA Fire Staff Joined Field Trip - Photo: Don Amador
Classroom work on the following day included
time for planning “next steps” for the following subgroups: Air Quality, Creating
Fire Ready Communities, Landscape-scale Vegetation Management, Tribal
Engagement, and Fire/Recreation. Lists
of ideas on “what makes a good project” and a brainstorming session of
potential projects (complete with marking locations on maps) made for a
productive day.
Core-team Lead, Chad Roberts, Discusses Forest Management with Group
Photo; Don Amador
The FireScape Mendocino Core Team will meet
soon to compile the classroom product, including submission of a list of
potential projects, and bring it back to the group’s participants at our next
workshop. Stay tuned!
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