Fire Roads NOE

The Fire Roads NOE project, managed by the County of Napa Fire Administration and applied for by the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation, focuses on the maintenance and enhancement of emergency fire access roads throughout Napa County. The primary objective is to protect life, property, and regional ecosystems by ensuring critical firefighting infrastructure is functional. The scope of work includes maintaining existing roads and performing minor vegetation alterations within 50 feet of the road centerline. This involves treating trees with a diameter at breast height of 10 inches or less, as well as removing hazardous, dead, or dying trees of any size using hand tools or limited mechanical equipment. The project is subject to strict environmental and professional standards, requiring the retention of a Registered Professional Forester to oversee mechanized treatments and ensure compliance with California Forest Practice Rules. Key operational requirements include the use of approved spark arrestors on equipment and the suspension of work during saturated soil conditions. Environmental safeguards are prioritized through the establishment of 100-foot Watercourse and Lake Protection Zones, strict discharge restrictions to protect water quality, and mandatory biological inspections for snags and nesting birds. Performance is distributed across various USGS quadrangles, including Angwin and Atlas Peak, with administrative oversight provided by Fire Administrator J.R. Rogers.