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FUEL REDUCTION PROJECTS

The County of San Luis Obispo is divided into 5 battalions. Each battalion is administered by a Battalion Chief. Each Battalion Chief was asked to identify assets that would be at risk during a large scale Incident due to the following factors:

• Fuel loading Emergency Response
• Topography • Access
• Weather • Signage
Structural Ignitability Water Supply

The identified assets were then grouped geographically into target areas. These target areas were then prioritized. The final product is a detailed map and list of areas that will be used to focus fire prevention activities and fuel treatments.

Battalion 1   Battalion 2     Battalion 3    Battalion 4    Battalion 6

Mapping

In each Battalion Pre-Attack Mapping projects combine with the California Fire Hazard Severity Zoning (FHSZ), Community and Cooperators input, all were used to prioritize the treatments below. If the project, listed below is in progress  or planning phase, that indicates that no work has started on the ground. Before any work can be started, we must insure that the environmental documentation has been completed and approved.

Fuel Treatment Methods

Through experience CAL FIRE has determined that three treatment methods stand out as being the most effective, environmentally friendly.

Chipping - Areas in each Battalion are identified that have high vulnerability to catastrophic wildland fire loss. Home owners are united and educated through the establishment of a Fire Safe Council Focus Group. Home owners volunteer labor time to clear flammable brush and ladder fuels beyond the 100' the PRC 4291 requirement. Both the San Luis Obispo Community Fire Safe Council , our local Air Pollution Control District and the California Conservation Corp. collaborate to reduce risk and make a difference. 
Prescribed Burning - Areas in each Battalion are identified that would have the most benefit of using controlled fires to create anchor points and a natural barrier of a larger event. See full size image
Shaded and Non-Shaded Fuel Break - We are using natural barriers and topography to determine areas in the County that can serve as a primary or secondary fire control line. These line use roads, rivers and topography to compartmentize the target areas of each Battalion. CAL FIRE uses both mechanical and goat scaping to accomplish these fuel breaks. Fuel break in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Ventura County, California

Battalion 1 Target Areas (listed in order of priority)

1)         Santa Rita WUI

2)         Morro Toro WUI

3)         Cambria WUI

4)             North Ranch  / Northern Diablo

5)         Hearst Castle

6)         Communication Sites

7)         Los Padres FS Botanical Gardens

8)         Bishop Peak Recreational Site

9)         San Luis Mountain Recreational Site

10)         Laguna West WUI

11)       Morro Bay WUI

 

12)   Los Osos WUI

13)   Montana De Oro State Park Campground

14)   Whale Rock Reservoir

15)   Cayucos WUI

16)   Perfumo Canyon WUI

17)   San Simeon State Park

18)   Ragged Point WUI

19)   San Luis V.O.R.

20)   El Chorro Regional Park

21)   San Simeon Acres WUI

Cambria WUI

Cambria Cambria has been identified as a community at risk and a top target area within Battalion 1. CAL FIRE /County Fire Staff in cooperation with the Cambria FireSafe Council Focus Group, Cambria CSD and other effected stakeholders will be conducting a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). A component of this plan will be an action plan to address issues identified during the community risk assessment. Cambria currently has a fuel treatment plan in place. In 2006, the East/West Fuel Break was completed. This fuel break was constructed using hand removal of fuels and chipping. This plan will be reevaluated during the CWPP.  ACTIVE

BRIDGE STREET SHADED FUEL BREAK

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. This is a cooperative event with CAL FIRE. This fuel reduction project will serve the residents of Cambria as a shaded fuel break for the communities eastern exposure to a large fire event. This fuel reduction consists of removing brush, limbing trees 6-8 feet above the ground, and piling and removal of material. This project was designed to provide an escape route for residents and a potential control line. PLANNING

Presentation to Cambria Forest Committee 03/19/2010   Click here  (29 meg ppt)

CAMBRIA ANNUAL CHIPPING EVENT

The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of Cambria Fire Protection District and the US Forest Service, is conducting the annual FREE chipping event to be held in the community of Cambria  COMPLETED

TORO CREEK SAFETY ZONE PROJECT

Funding provided by CAL FIRE / County Fire. The project consists of developing approximately six 1.5 acres fuel treatment zones located along Toro Creek area. The fuel reduction zones would provide residents, recreationalist and emergency response personnel safety with zones for safe refuge during a wildland fire. Fuel reduction will involve utilizing CAL FIRE / Cuesta Camp Crews to remove ground fuels and prune trees up to 6-8 feet. Brush will be piled and removed. MAINTENCE

LOS OSOS CWPP FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. This is a joint CAL FIRE, Los Osos CSD and Los Osos Fire Safe Council Focus Group. The project includes removing vegetation from residents property boundaries out to 100 feet on Los Osos CSD property. Fuel reduction will involve utilizing hand crews to remove ground fuels and prune trees up to 6-8 feet. Brush will be piled and chipped.
PLANNING

NORTH RANCH COMPLEX /  COON CREEK MASTICATION PROJECT
Funding provided through a cooperative funding from CAL FIRE,  the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council and the Hazard Fuel Treatment Grant Funding . This fuel reduction project will be in the Coon Creek Drainage. Fuel reduction through the use of mastication will serve as the eastern anchor point. removing brush, limbing trees 6-8 feet above the ground, followed by prescribed burning in the southern area of Montana De Oro State Park. This project is designed to provide an potential control line and anchor point in the event of a large fire in the area.
IN PROGRESS

NORTH RANCH COMPLEX / Diablo Canyon Prescribed Burn
 

CAL FIRE in cooperation with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will be conducting a 450-acre prescribed burn Friday morning through Saturday, November 12 & 13, 2010.  The burn is located on PG&E property along the coastal plain just south of Montano de Oro State Park.  Five engines, one bulldozer, one helicopter and four fire crews will be involved in the burn. The burn is being conducted as part of the CAL FIRE Vegetation Management Program and is intended to reduce hazardous brush and other wildland fuels in an area considered high risk for large and damaging wildfires.  Prescribed burns are conducted to help reduce the wildfire risk as well as  to provide temporary improvement to forage for ranchers and wildlife. The prescribed burn is being planned and coordinated with the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District and the California Air Resources Board in order to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities. IN PROGRESS


Battalion 2 Target Areas (listed in order of priority)

1)          Suey Creek WUI

2)          Upper Lopez Canyon WUI

3)          Blue Fox WUI

4)          East Arroyo Grande WUI

5)          Huasna WUI

6)          Reservoir Canyon WUI

 

7)        Nipomo Mesa/Dale WUI

8)        Lopez Lake Recreational Area

9)        Edna Valley Foothills WUI

10)      Ranchita Estates WUI

11)      Nipomo Hills  WUI

12)      Varian Ranch WUI

 

SUEY CREEK WUI

Suey Creek PLANNING AND MAPPING
Suey Creek
has been identified as a community at risk and a top target area within Battalion 2. Funding is need to complete this plan. This areas is also being studied in the upcoming countywide CWPP.

NIPOMO CHIPPING EVENT

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council and the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District. This is a cooperative event with the Nipomo CSD, San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District, and CAL FIRE / County Fire. Residents provide the labor by trimming and piling brush and then their green waste is used for landscaping rather than burning, preserving our air quality. This chipping event is held throughout the Nipomo area with the chipping labor provided by the California Conservation Corp. COMPLETE

East Arroyo Grande Chipping Event

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council and the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District. This is a cooperative event with the assistance of CAL FIRE / County Fire, and the California Conservation Corp. Residents provide the labor by trimming and piling brush and then their green waste is used for landscaping rather than burning, preserving our air quality. This chipping event is held throughout the Edna Valley area with the chipping labor provided by the California Conservation Corp. COMPLETE 2010

RANCHITA ESTATES WUI FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT

Funding provided by the United States Forest Service with assistance of CAL FIRE  / County Fire. This fuel reduction zone project is for the Ranchita Estates. Fuel reduction consists of removing brush, limbing trees 6-8 feet above the ground, and piling and burning or chipping of material. This project was designed to provide an escape route for residents and potential control lines. COMPLETED 2010

Maddux/Mankins/Hermerck prescribed burn

This is a cooperative funded project between CAL FIRE /County Fire, San Luis Obispo County Range Improvement Association and a private land owner. This project involves utilizing prescribed burning to treat decadent brush for range improvement and public safety. This project is adjacent to the Ranchita Estates WUI area that has been identified as a target area under our risk assessment. This project will provide a fuel break between the communities and the wildlands. This project is in maintenance phase. PLANNING

Porter prescribed burn

This is a cooperative funded project between CAL FIRE /County Fire, San Luis Obispo County Range Improvement Association and a private land owner. The project involves utilizing prescribed burning to treat approximately 1200 acres of brush. This fuel treatment project has range improvement benefits as well as protecting wildland urban interface assets at risk. COMPLETED 2009

Battalion 3 Target Areas (listed in order of priority)

1)          West Atascadero WUI

2)          South Templeton/Santa Rita WUI

3)          Asuncion WUI

4)          PG&E High Power Line NW of Atascadero

5)          South Shore Village

6)          Rancho Delargo WUI

7)          Cal Shasta Boat Club WUI

 

8)        Tri Counties Boat Club WUI

9)        Running Deer Ranch WUI

10)      Oak Shores WUI

11)      Christmas Cove WUI

12)      Heritage Ranch WUI

13)      Rural West Paso Robles WUI

14)      Oak Shores Campground

15)       Bryson\Hesperia WUI

West Atascadero WUI

West Atascadero West Atascadero has been identified as primary target area.  To reduce the risk to residents within this wildland urban intermix area, Pre-Attack Planning was used to give the priority and overview of the issues to be overcome during  wildland fire in this area.

West Atascadero Fuel Break

 This project is a cooperative effort between CAL FIRE / County Fire,  and private landowners.  CAL FIRE /County Fire personnel are working with private landowners, conducting an initial environmental review and evaluating resource needs. PLANNING

Templeton Fuel reduction Projects

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. This project is in cooperation with the Templeton Fire Protection District, and CAL FIRE / County Fire. Fuel reduction consists of removing brush, limbing trees 6-8 feet above the ground, and piling and removal of material the CAL FIRE Cuesta Camp. This project was designed to provide an escape route for residents and a potential control line. COMPLETED

Meridian / Whitley Gardens Chipping Event

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. This is a cooperative event with the assistance of CAL FIRE / County Fire, and the California Conservation Corp. Residents provide the labor by trimming and piling brush and then their green waste is used for landscaping rather than burning, preserving our air quality. This chipping event is held throughout the Meridian / Whitley Gardens area with the chipping labor provided by the California Conservation Corp. ACTIVE

Shandon Chipping event

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. This is a cooperative event with the assistance of CAL FIRE / County Fire, and the California Conservation Corp. Residents provide the labor by trimming and piling brush and then their green waste is used for landscaping rather than burning, preserving our air quality. This chipping event is held throughout the Shandon Community area with the chipping labor provided by the California Conservation Corp. ACTIVE

Bonnheim prescribed burn

This is a cooperative project between CAL FIRE /County Fire, San Luis Obispo County Range Improvement Association and a private land owner. This project involves utilizing prescribed burning to treat decadent brush for range improvement and public safety.


Battalion 4 Target Areas (listed in order of priority)

1)          Parkhill WUI

2)          Santa Margarita Lake Recreational Area

3)          Salinas River Drainage WUI

4)          Pozo WUI

5)          Mount Lowe WUI

 

6)          Black Mountain WUI

7)          Wilson Corner WUI

8)          Garden Farms WUI

9)          Tassajara WUI

10)      Upper Highway 229

 

PARKHILL WUI

Parkhill

Parkhill has been identified as primary target area.  To reduce the risk to residents within this wildland urban intermix area, Pre-Attack Planning was used to give the priority and overview of the issues to be overcome during  wildland fire in this area.

TASSAJARA CREEK RD FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. This is a cooperative event with CAL FIRE / Cuesta Camp Crews. This fuel reduction project will be on both sides of Tassajara Creek Rd out to approximately 25 feet. Fuel reduction consists of removing brush, limbing trees 6-8 feet above the ground, and piling and removal of material. This project was designed to provide an escape route for residents and a potential control line. SEEKING FUNDING

Creston Chipping event

The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting the annual FREE chipping event to be held in the county areas in the community of Creston   TBA

Calf Canyon and Behlman Truck Trails

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. This is a cooperative event with CAL FIRE / Cuesta Camp Crews. Both of these truck trails are located within the Parkhill WUI as identified under or assets at risk assessment. CAL FIRE /County Fire has been maintaining these roads for firefighting assess and control lines. Maintenance includes road grading and brush removal. Access roads have been successfully used for control lines on major fires in the past including the 2003 Highway 58 Fire. SEEKING FUNDING


Battalion 6 Target Areas (listed in order of priority)

1)         See Canyon WUI

2)         Davis Canyon WUI

3)         Squire Canyon WUI

4)         Baron Canyon WUI

5)         Port San Luis Obispo/Lighthouse

 

6)         Diablo Canyon Power Plant

7)         Pismo Beach WUI

8)         San Luis Obispo Bay Estates WUI

9)         Avila Beach WUI

AVILA PRE-PLAN

Avila

Avila Pre-Attack Plan  has been identified as the primary target area.  To reduce the risk to residents within this wildland urban intermix area, Pre-Attack Planning was used to give the priority and overview of the issues to be overcome during  wildland fire in this area.

SEE CANYON WUI Phase 1 and  Phase 2

BLACK WALNUT

The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting this Shaded Fuel Break. This project will assist residents in the area by providing a Safe Refuge Area and reducing the flammable fuel load along the only evacuation route for the residents in this area. Additionally, this project will assist firefighters to establish control lines to contain a wildland fire in the area North of the Community of Avila      IN PROGRESS

MEADOWBROOK

The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting this Shaded Fuel Break. This project will assist residents in the area by reducing the flammable fuel load along the only evacuation route for the residents in this area. Additionally, this project will assist firefighters to establish control lines to contain a wildland fire in the area North of the Community of Avila   IN PROGRESS

PIPPEN LANE
The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting this Shaded Fuel Break. This project will assist residents in the area by providing a Safe Refuge Area and reducing the flammable fuel load along the only evacuation route for the residents in this area. Additionally, this project will assist firefighters to establish control lines to contain a wildland fire in the area North of the Community of Avila  IN PROGRESS

SEE CANYON  - Lower

The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting this Shaded Fuel Break. This project will assist residents in the area by reducing the flammable fuel load along the only evacuation route for the residents in this area. Additionally, this project will assist firefighters to establish control lines to contain a wildland fire in the area North of the Community of Avila.    IN PROGRESS

SEE CANYON - Middle
The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting this Shaded Fuel Break. This project will assist residents in the area by reducing the flammable fuel load along the only evacuation route for the residents in this area. Additionally, this project will assist firefighters to establish control lines to contain a wildland fire in the area North of the Community of Avila.     COMPLETED

SEE CANYON - Upper
The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting this Shaded Fuel Break. This project will assist residents in the area by reducing the flammable fuel load along the only evacuation route for the residents in this area. Additionally, this project will assist firefighters to establish control lines to contain a wildland fire in the area North of the Community of Avila.   IN PROGRESS

DAVIS CANYON WUI

The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting this Shaded Fuel Break. This project will assist residents in the area by reducing the flammable fuel load along the only evacuation route for the residents in this area. Additionally, this project will assist firefighters to establish control lines to contain a wildland fire in the area North of the Community of Avila    PLANNING

Squire/Barron Canyon Fuel Reduction Projects

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. The Squire/Barron Canyon areas have been identified as target area. CAL FIRE / County Fire Staff in cooperation with the Squire/Barron Canyon FireSafe Council Focus Group will be integrating past preplanning and fuel treatment plans into a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). In 2004 CAL FIRE /County Fire Staff in cooperation with the focus group prepared a pre-attack plan, an evacuation plan and fuel treatment plan. These documents will be integrated into the CWPP format. The Squire/Barron Focus Group applied for grant funding in 2008 to fund a fuel break, road access fuel removal and open space fuel reduction project utilizing goats. Grant funding was unsuccessful. CAL FIRE /County Fire Staff along with the San Luis Obispo County Community FireSafe Council will continue research funding opportunities to initiate these projects. COMPLETED

LIGHT HOUSE ROAD

The San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, with the assistance of CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire and the US Forest Service, is conducting this Shaded Fuel Break. This project will assist residents in the area by reducing the flammable fuel load along the only evacuation route for the residents in this area. Additionally, this project will assist firefighters to establish control lines to contain a wildland fire in the area East of the Community of Avila    COMPLETED

Avila Valley Hazard Tree Removal 

Funding provided by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council. This project is located in the San Luis Bay Estates which is within the Avila Beach Community Services District. The San Luis Estates Focus group is a member of the San Luis Obispo County Community FireSafe Council. The focus group recently applied and has received tentative approval for a hazard tree removal project. This project involves chipping of dead tree material and trimming of trees to reduce the fire hazard adjacent to structures. If grant funding materializes in late October, work will take place in winter through spring 2010. SEEKING FUNDING


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