Big Springs Ranch Wildlife Area Fuel Reduction Project

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is implementing the Big Springs Ranch Wildlife Area Fuel Reduction Project in Siskiyou County, California, to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The project scope involves comprehensive fuel reduction treatments across approximately 6,300 acres, specifically targeting 700 acres for mechanical fuels reduction through thinning and mastication and roughly 5,600 acres for prescriptive or cultural burning. Additionally, the project includes the creation of fire containment lines to ensure safety and effectiveness of the treatments. The project is being conducted under the authority of Public Resources Code Sections 21083 and 21110, utilizing categorical exemptions 15304 (Class 4) and 15308 (Class 8). According to the Notice of Exemption signed on September 10, 2026, the activities will not result in environmental degradation or the taking of endangered species. Performance will take place at the Big Springs Ranch Wildlife Area located at 4415 E Louie Road, Montague, California.