Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project

Making it Fire Safe

Creating Defensible Space and Hardening

Read these two PDF articles for the latest information.
Safer from Wildfires
Wildfire Mitigation Partnership

One of the top priorities for Valley Ranch Firewise Committee has been to work as a part of the Graeagle Fire Protection District Firewise Community to develop a Community Hazardous Fuel Reduction (HFR) Project with the Plumas County Fire Safe Council (PCFSC).  These HFR projects are a collaboration between the Plumas County Fire Safe Council and communities/landowners within the County’s Communities at Risk. 

HFR projects reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and create fire resilient stands by treating surface fuels to:

• Generate flame lengths of less than 2-4 ft.

• Break up the continuity of ladder and canopy fuels to prevent the initiation or sustaining of crown fires.

Remember it is the property owners responsibility to clear the first 100 feet from a home.

2018

The first step in this process was to determine interest within our community.  The response was overwhelming and the Mohawk Valley HFR Project became a reality in October 2018.  

2020

PCFSC received grant funding for the planning phase of this project in 2020 and hired a Registered Professional Forester in April 2020.

The Forester worked with Valley Ranch landowners to mark boundaries and develop treatment prescriptions throughout late summer and early fall of 2020. 

2021

Plumas County Fire Safe Council was awarded $5,794,611 for Eastern Plumas Wildfire Prevention projects.  This CalFire grant ensured that the Mohawk Valley Hazardous Fuels Reduction project and many other proposed projects throughout Eastern Plumas County could go forward.

2022

All the planning, NEPA (environmental reports) and the archeological survey were completed.

Landowner agreements were sent out in September.

The Plumas County Fire Safe Council awarded the project contract and work will begin in 2023.

2023

Work has begun in Valley Ranch!!

Equipment and crews showed up in Valley Ranch late November 2023.  They started work on Lot #36 and have been steadily working their way around the neighborhood.  The work has included mastication of bitterbrush and small trees to eliminate ladder fuel as well as tree removal of trees up to 16” in diameter to reduce the risk of a crown fire.

The work will continue as weather permits.

2024

85% of the Mohawk Valley HFR Project has been completed.  The equipment and crews will return to complete the remaining 15% this spring once the ground is dry enough.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding the project and your property, please contact Katie Quinn at katie@plumasfiresafe.org.