Community Protection – Central and West Slope Project

The Community Protection – Central and West Slope Project involves vegetation management across approximately 217,721 acres within the Plumas National Forest to reduce wildfire risk to State Responsibility Area communities and critical infrastructure. CAL FIRE will implement a range of treatments including manual and mechanical methods such as chainsaw cutting, mastication, and the use of heavy equipment like dozers, excavators, harvesters, and chipper units, alongside prescribed burns conducted through ground or aerial ignition methods using drip torches, unmanned aerial vehicles, or helicopters. All fire activities will occur strictly under approved weather and fuel conditions and in full compliance with the environmental assessment and regulatory requirements. The goal is to enhance wildfire resilience in the wildland-urban interface and support broader community protection and suppression efforts by creating defensible space and reducing hazardous fuel loads. Implementation will adhere to all design specifications, mitigation measures, and conditions outlined in the U.S. Forest Service Environmental Assessment, ensuring ecological and safety standards are met throughout the project. Equipment used will include a variety of ground-based and transport vehicles to support treatment operations across the rugged terrain. The project is forecasted to proceed with CAL FIRE as the lead agency, with coordination through the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Point of contact for inquiries is Glen Schall, Unit Forester, reachable via phone or email provided. The project is publicly listed under a forecast notice dated July 31, 2026, with additional details accessible through the California CEQA Net portal.