Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council Regional Fire Safe Project – Wrightwood, Mt. Baldy, and Lytle Creek

The intent of this project is to assist residents of the Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, and Mt. Baldy communities in creating defensible space and removing fire hazards in compliance with defensible space/hazard abatement regulations. The proposed project would include the removal of vegetation, hazardous trees, debris, and other materials within 100 ft. of structures. Removal of vegetation will occur manually; cut material will be left in place, piled for firewood, chipped and spread back on site, and/or hauled away. Ground vegetation to be removed will primarily consist of shrubs, leaves, pine needles, weeds, and downed branches. Trees may be pruned to allow for the passage of emergency response vehicles and as necessary to maintain defensible space standards (e.g., recommended distance from chimneys/stovepipes or other trees). Dead, dying, diseased, and hazardous live trees will be removed. All trees will be felled in the least ground-disturbing manner feasible. Project implementation is expected to begin immediately. The number of parcels completed within the project area will be determined based on funding availability. Work may be done during nesting bird season if nesting surveys are performed prior to commencement of operations, as described below. Equipment necessary for project implementation includes chainsaws, hand tools (shovels, Mcleods, pulaskis, etc.), and chippers. Heavy equipment (i.e., chipper) and vehicles will use existing improved and/or disturbed areas such as roads, driveways, and pullouts. If tree logs need to be removed from the project site, then the logs will be cut into carry-able size lengths and removed by hand to minimize ground disturbance. Maintenance will occur as necessary to maintain the standards listed above and may occur as frequently as an annual basis. Maintenance needs will be determined in coordination with CAL FIRE.