Calpella Waste Water Treatment Training Burn

The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority plans to conduct a prescribed burn on a 2.78-acre site south of the Calpella Wastewater Treatment Plant to reduce wildfire fuel loads and provide hands-on training for firefighters. The area, situated in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within the Wildland-Urban Interface, consists of ruderal grasses and weeds in previously disturbed ground near the wastewater facility, with no trees to remove, no construction, and no permanent land use changes. The project is confined to a clearly defined area on APN 167-110-17 and APN 167-110-16, and the site has been confirmed to lack wetlands, streams, serpentine soils, or protected species. The location lies approximately 100 feet from the Russian River and is entirely within a Local Responsibility Area, making it critical for fire risk mitigation in proximity to public infrastructure. The activity is purely operational and educational, designed to enhance firefighter preparedness while safeguarding nearby utilities and the surrounding community. There is no bidding process or procurement under a solicitation number, as this is a forecasted activity intended to inform the public and stakeholders. The primary point of contact is Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director, with Shane Freudenberg, Fuels Crew Superintendent, handling technical operations. The project was posted on July 2, 2026, through the state’s CEQA Net system, and the location is in Ukiah, California, with a zip code of 95418. All activities will strictly adhere to environmental and safety protocols to prevent unintended impacts to the nearby river and surrounding properties.