SCH Number 2023060104

Project Info

Title

McKinley Scott Fuel Reduction Project

Description

Project goals are to 1.) improve forest health and resilience to severe wildfire, drought, disease, and pests, 2.) reduce wildfire risk for nearby communities and infrastructure, 3) facilitate fire suppression operations, 4) increase long-term carbon capture and storage to ensure treated and adjacent forested areas remain net sinks of carbon and continue to provide an abundance of ecosystem and societal benefits. The project area consists of mixed conifer stands, plantations composed of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir ranging from 3 to 32 years old and isolated brush patches and rock outcroppings. The native mixed conifer stands are composed of ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir, Douglas-fir, and incense cedar. Elevations range from 4,600 to 6,000 feet with side slopes of 0-60%. The project will reduce hazardous fuel loads by removing overstocked brush, small trees, and limbing ladder fuels. All mature, scenic trees will be retained. Treatments will focus on the removal of young and/or suppressed advanced regeneration tree species less than 12-inch diameter at breast height, removing slash and jackpot accumulations, removing shrubs where they contribute to vertical and horizontal fuel continuity, and prune trees to create separation of surface fuels and canopy fuels of no less than six-feet and up ten-feet, maintaining at least 50% of the crown, dependent on-site specific conditions. Trees greater than 12” dbh will not be removed unless they are a hazard to the road or personnel. The project area will be fully stocked upon completion of the project. Treatments will tie into fire lines created to aid in control of the McKinney Fire. Activities will include thinning, herbicide application, prescribed fire, and mastication.

2 documents in project