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The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs
serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and
programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through
the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands. If
you would like to submit a program to the national wildfire programs database,
please complete the following form (MS
Word).
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Title: |
Arcata, CA -- Community Forest Fuel Reduction Project
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Type: |
Regulatory
Fuelbreaks
Education
Community Planning
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Jurisdiction: |
City/town
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State: |
California
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Program Description: |
Background
The 600-acre Arcata Community Forest is a high fire risk area due to past logging activities and a hazardous buildup of understory fuels. The forest is a high use recreational area that experiences small fires on a yearly basis, making the area a disaster waiting to happen. Several highly populated areas are also vulnerable to wildfire due to their close proximity to the Forest. These areas include the City of Arcata, Humboldt State University and several housing developments within 50 feet of the Forest boundary. A lack of public education coupled with the absence of damaging wildfire for over 50 years, has created a false sense of security among residents. New homes continue to be constructed with shake roofs and wood siding with flammable vegetation close by.
Forest Fuel Reduction Project
The City of Arcata has taken an active role in addressing the fire hazard problem in the Arcata Community Forest. The City has incorporated the following measures as part of its Master Plan.
- Open and maintain fire access roads. This will be accomplished using inmate labor to remove brush on existing fire roads. Woody debris will be burned or chipped.
- Create buffer zones within 100 feet of forest boundaries. Understory fuels will be removed in a 100-foot swath around the forest boundaries. This will provide a buffer zone between the forest and residential areas. Buffer zones will be created using a variety of labor sources with inmate crews providing a majority of the work. Other labor sources may include the California Conservation Corps, Community Forest trail crews and volunteers. If funding permits, private work crews may be used.
National Fire Plan WUI grant monies for fiscal year 2001-2002 and 2003-2004 are funding this project.
As of June 2004, the fuels treatment along roads and within buffer zones around forest boundaries had been acommplished. Managers plan to maintain both projects with additional treatments as needed.
Public Education
The City of Arcata, the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, and the Arcata Fire Protection District are developing a plan to inform and educate area residents about fire hazards and fire hazard reduction. The plan includes distribution of informational flyers and conducting educational community forums. The Community Forest fuels reduction project will serve as a demonstration model for residents, as well. It is also anticipated that Humboldt State University will use the fuel reduction project for research and analyses. Planned publicity includes the broadcast of a feature story about the project on a local television station and feature articles in local newspapers.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Kim Price, Fire Captain, CDF Humboldt -- Del Norte Unit by phone at (707) 725-4413, or via email at [email protected].
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