Eldorado National Forest

Projects & Plans

HEALTHY FOREST INITIATIVE (ACT)

President Bush has taken a series of actions to expedite high-priority fuel-reduction and forest restoration projects in our nation's forests and rangelands, including the December 2003 signing of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. The primary goal of these projects is to reduce the fire danger and return our forests and rangelands to a healthier state.

To learn more about the Healthy Forests Initiative please visit www.healthyforests.gov or our Washington Office Web page www.fs.fed.us/projects/HFI.shtml.

Last Chance Fuels Reduction Project

Location:
The Last Chance Fuels Reduction Project is east of the forest community of Grizzly Flat, north of Henry's Diggins Historic Mining District and north of Leoni Meadows Seventh Day Adventist Conference Center. Grizzly Flat is composed of small residential subdivisions and large parcels within the foothill pine and oak zone. Nearby communities of Fair Play and Somerset host thriving vineyards and tasting rooms.

Project Proposal:
The project proposal is to create a defensible space by reducing ground and standing fuels on approximately 1600 acres by thinning the under story on 590 acres, crushing brush and burning piles on 400 acres, hand pruning trees within 100 feet from private property on 50 acres, low intensity under burning on 1250 acres, and removing brush along roads.

Background:
A fire would threaten homes within the urban interface, the local water district, the local post office, an elementary school and the Forest Service fire station. The fire station is critical because the next closest fire unit that could respond to this area is at least 20 minutes away. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) in conjunction with local fire agencies, large land holders, Forest Service, insurance companies, the local community and local government has initiated the Fire Safe Council program in Eldorado County with the objectives of identifying high priority actions needed to increase fire hazard awareness and reduce fire hazards to the public. The Fire Safe Council has expressed support for this project and is working with the Forest Service to find supplemental funding. In addition, the Fire Safe Council and CDF are seeking assistance and community involvement from adjacent private landowners.

USDA Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 19 January 2005 at 13:52:32 EST