Big Sandy Wildlife Area Grassland Restoration

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, in coordination with Cal Fire and the California Conservation Corps, intends to conduct a prescribed burn covering approximately 350 acres within the Big Sandy Wildlife Area to support ecological restoration and reduce wildfire risk by lowering fuel loads. The burn area is located in the grasslands between Indian Valley Road and Highway 101, where tall invasive vegetation including yellow star thistle will be mechanically managed through cutting, piling, or crushing prior to ignition to ensure effective and controlled combustion. Fire control lines will be established using existing roads and other natural fuel breaks to contain the fire and protect surrounding resources. The effort aims to improve native plant communities, enhance wildlife habitat, and increase landscape resilience to uncontrolled wildfires. The project is forecasted under the title Big Sandy Wildlife Area Grassland Restoration, with a posted date of June 18, 2026, and is being managed by Region 4 of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife based in Fresno. Brandon Swanson, Environmental Scientist, is the point of contact for inquiries, reachable via email or phone. Although no solicitation number or NAICS code is provided, the activity falls under the department’s broader land management and conservation objectives, and all operations will adhere to strict fire management protocols to ensure public and environmental safety. The project does not specify a set-aside type or funding mechanism, and the place of performance is confined to the designated grassland area in California.