Butte Unit Station 35 Fuels Reduction Project

This project will reduce fuels and control the spread of invasive broom on an approximately 11-acre CAL FIRE parcel in the Town of Paradise. The parcel is located off Forest Service Rd. and Moore Rd in the northern end of Paradise, Butte County. This parcel is forested with a maximum slope of 16% and an elevation of around 2100’. The project area is located within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which identifies this area of high risk for large scale wildland fires. The project area was impacted in the 2018 Camp Fire. This high severity burn caused an explosion of invasive woody perennials on the station’s parcel that this project intends to mitigate. This project will utilize herbicide application with the intent to control woody perennials and eradicate invasive broom species (Genista monspessulana, Cytisus scoparius and Spartium junceum). All three broom species have a California Invasive Plant Council rating of high. These species have severe ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure as well as attributes that are conducive to moderate to high rates of dispersal and establishment. Treatment methods will include hand cutting, heavy equipment operation, mastication, herbicide application, burn unit preparation and burning. Hand cutting will be conducted using hand tools and chainsaws to thin live trees, remove hazard and down trees, and remove ladder fuels. Live trees greater than 16 inches diameter breast height will be reviewed by a Registered Professional Forester or designee prior to removal. Felled trees may be moved offsite by heavy equipment, no commercialization of forest products will occur. Herbicide application will be applied in accordance with applicable Department of Pesticide Regulations. Cut vegetation may be chipped, lopped and scattered, broadcast burned or piled and burned. Existing fire control lines will be maintained, and additional may be implemented as necessary to ensure safe operations.