Huslia youth team working on the fire fuel reduction project.

Huslia youth at work.

This is the second year the village of Huslia has implemented a hazardous fuel reduction project.  The project fulfils an important component of the 2000 National Fire Plan by creating a defensible space around homes and the community.  This year the collaborative efforts between the Huslia Tribal Council, the Huslia City Council, and the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge led to innovations in strategies and project goals that not only resulted in a successful project, but also made the village a safer and a better place to live.

During the summer of 2005, the Village treated 25 acres by thinning, limbing-up, and/or completely removing black spruce from selected project areas.  Because of the success of the 2005 project, the Huslia Tribal Administrator and the Service felt they could treat more acres.  Additional funding was provided by the Service for the 2006 project and the Tribal Council took over all administrative duties.

The Tribal Council felt it would be beneficial for the village to hire young adults to work on the project.  By hiring young adults, the Tribal Council’s main goal was to increase their experience and training and make them more competitive in the job market.  Along with 6 weeks of work for 4 hours/day, they were given training on how to prepare a resume and job interview skills.

Many of the Village Elders wondered if the young crew could get the job done.  However, the young adults proved themselves after the first week by working hard, showing up a half hour early and gaining a sense of pride and joy about what they were doing within the community.  Elders commented that the young folks seemed more involved in the village than ever before and had a sense of purpose about them.

Another innovative new solution regarded disposal of the trees removed from the treatment areas.  Instead of piling and burning the cut material, the smaller pieces were run through a mulcher and bagged for use as dust control on driveways and walk ways.  The larger pieces of wood were cut into 4-6 foot chunks and stacked in the Village for the Elders to use as firewood.

In two years, the village of Huslia has treated 45 acres.  Although this effort does not completely eliminate the future wildland fire risks, it certainly reduces the threat of catastrophic wildfire affecting Huslia.  This alone is a great accomplishment for the village!  But even more benefits were seen this year: young adults gained valuable work experience, a community realized the potential in their young people, and young people took pride in their work and felt a part of their village.  Another incredibly positive outcome of this project was the collaborative efforts between the Village and the Service.  In the words of the Tribal Administrator, “Success of this project led many village members to a better understanding and more respect for the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  The increased cooperation between the Tribal Council and the Service has been seen as a big plus by tribal members.”