The following is a press release issued by the Eel River Recovery Project:
The Eel River Recovery Project, in collaboration with local landowners, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), is planning a prescribed burn on lower Tenmile Creek in the coming weeks. This restoration burn will treat approximately 30-acres of forest understory fuels as part of an ambitious multi-year watershed-wide forest health project.
The Lower Tenmile Creek project area is located near Hwy 101 approximately 5 miles north of Laytonville. Burning will begin as soon as favorable weather and humidity conditions allow for safe and effective operations. During the burn, smoke may be visible in the area. The burn will be assisted by qualified Burn Boss Scot Steinbring of Torchbearr with permission from CAL FIRE, pending an approved burn plan, burn permit, smoke permit, and cooperative weather conditions. Resources committed to prescribed burn include 2 engines and 20 ground personnel.
Funding for the Tenmile Creek Watershed Forest Health Project was provided by CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Program as part of California Climate Investments (CCI), a state-wide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates financial incentives for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. CCI investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35% of these investments are located within and benefitting residents of disadvantaged communities, and low income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investment website at:www.calclimateinvestments.ca.gov.
ERRP is interested in recruiting volunteers to participate in controlled burns to assist with meeting their current ambitious prescribed fire goals, and to help the community build a stewardship corps that can assist with cooperative controlled burns as a way of maintaining forest and grassland health into the future. Anyone with interest should contact Alicia Bales at 916-595-8724. ERRP Managing Director Pat Higgins may also be contacted, if the public has questions about the project at 707 223-7200. Look for alerts to burn activity on the ERRP Facebook page (www.facebook.com/EelRiverRecovery/).
