North Fork American River Shaded Fuel Break

After the 2018 Camp Fire, Governor Newsom designated the North Fork American River Shaded Fuel Break- (North Fork) Phase 1 as one of 35 priority projects throughout the state to protect communities at greatest risk of wildfire (Executive Order N-050-19). Placer RCD along with CAL FIRE crews completed North Fork Phase 1 in 2019-2020. This consisted of fuel reduction treatments on 800-acres east of Colfax, California. Placer RCD received additional funding from CAL FIRE in December 2021 to implement Phase II of the North Fork project which is now underway. North Fork- Phase II consists of fuel reduction treatments on an additional 865 acres east of Weimar that connects to the southern end of Phase I. North Fork- Phase II also includes a portion of five strategically placed firebreaks located on federal land between the North and Middle Forks of the American River. These firebreaks, totaling approximately 440 acres, were implemented more than 10 years ago to provide large-scale check lines for wildfire. This project is re-treating approximately 80 priority acres out of the 440 acres to provide opportunities for air and ground resources to suppress the blaze and protect communities along the Foresthill Divide. Treatments may include mastication, hand cutting, piling, chipping, pile burning, herbicide treatment, and broadcast burning.