SCH Number 2026061035

Project Info

Title

West Hopland Shaded Fuel Break Project

Description

The purpose of this 240-acre project is to reduce wildfire risk, improve egress and support fire suppression activities directly west of the town of Hopland. The project area is bound to the east by State Highway 101, with the Hopland municipal water supply tank upslope, and consists of undeveloped and developed parcels with both residential and commercial buildings. This project aims to reduce fuels along 1.7 miles of existing roads, 1.0 mile of jeep trails, and forested areas within the project area. The north end of the jeep trail is accessed via Hewlitt Sturtevant Road off HWY 101. The south end of the project is accessed via Feliz Creek Road. Vegetation consists of primarily oak woodland and madrone forest with large patches of mature French broom. Fuel reduction activities will involve thinning understory vegetation while minimizing the spread of French broom, which could lead to an increased fire hazard. Work will be completed using mechanical and manual treatment methods. Hand crews will employ chainsaws, pole saws, weed whackers, and hand tools to remove small trees, brush, surface fuels, and small branches. Live trees =12” DBH will be thinned, and larger trees pruned to a 14-ft vertical clearance. Slash will be chipped, piled and burned, or masticated. Track chippers and masticators will be limited to slopes =35%, except on stable existing tractor roads and jeep trails. Dead, dying, or hazardous trees of any size that pose a risk to roadways, people, or infrastructure will be removed. The project includes long-term maintenance of fuel loading and hazard tree removal as needed, and maintenance of broom infested areas.

1 documents in project