To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter
SUBJECT:
title
10:00 a.m. - Presentation Regarding Prescribed Fire Projects in Humboldt County
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive an informal presentation from representatives of Humboldt County Public Works - Natural Resources Planning, the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council (HCFSC), University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) on the responsible use of prescribed fire to promote fire-adapted landscapes and safe communities. No action is required.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
United Sates Forest Service Cooperative Fire Program, State Fire Assistance and Tree Mortality grant; awarded through the California Fire Safe Council’s 2018 Grants Clearinghouse Fire Prevention Program.
DISCUSSION:
The presentation is intended to inform elected officials and the general public about the beneficial uses of fire and associated efforts within Humboldt County to increase the use of prescribed fire as a tool to reduce the potential negative impacts of wildfire. Humboldt-Del Norte UCCE and County of Humboldt staff have collaborated on the development and delivery of a coordinated educational program intended to empower landowners, volunteer fire departments (VFDs) and other community members to work together toward more resilient and fire-adapted landscapes. Funding has been leveraged from CAL FIRE (by the UCCE) and California Fire Safe Council (by the County of Humboldt) grant programs to support this effort which represents implementation of components of the “Restoration of Beneficial Fire” action plan of the 2019 Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Information will be provided on progress to date for these projects as well as other relevant planning, on the ground activities and policy and legislation intended to remove barriers and help increase the pace and scale of prescribed fire use. Highlights will be shared about the activities of the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association and the formation of a Southern Humboldt chapter. An update will also be provided on the progress of the prescribed fire liaison who was hired to conduct prescribed fire outreach and education in Southern Humboldt; the contractor is supported by grant funds secured by the County from the California Fire Safe Council’s 2018 Grants Clearinghouse Fire Prevention Program. Lastly, CAL FIRE will provide an update on their Vegetation Management Program which is a cost-share and technical support program that focuses on the use of prescribed fire for addressing wildfire fuel hazards and other resource management issues.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Grant funds from the California Fire Safe Council’s 2018 Grants Clearinghouse Fire Prevention Program were used to support staff time to organize this presentation. No action is being requested of the Board and the Humboldt County General Fund will not be impacted.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health , strengthening climate change resiliency, facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems and seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Humboldt County Fire Safe Council and University of California Cooperative Extension.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
This item is informational.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-20
Meeting of: 01/08/2019
File No.: 18-1665