South Bohemian Highway Community Wildfire Resilience Project

The South Bohemian Highway Community Wildfire Resilience Project will be conducted on approximately 64 acres of forestland located two miles south of downtown Occidental, California, across eight properties east of Bohemian Highway. Focused on reducing hazardous fuels and enhancing forest resilience to wildfire and disease, the project targets a coast redwood alliance forest growing on moderate slopes of 20 to 40 degrees with a northwest-facing aspect. Activities include the removal of trees under 14 inches in diameter at breast height to decrease tree density and promote healthier growth of remaining trees, along with limbing residual trees and lowering the height of woody understory vegetation to eliminate ladder fuels that contribute to wildfire spread. All woody debris will be piled and safely burned on site. Work will be carried out exclusively by hand crews using hand tools and chainsaws to minimize environmental disturbance. The project is designed to avoid impacts to sensitive ecological resources and to retain mature, high-value trees to preserve long-term forest structure and function. Operations are scheduled to occur between summer 2026 and spring 2027, aligning with favorable weather conditions and minimizing disruption to wildlife and vegetation cycles. The Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District is the lead agency overseeing the project, with Adriana Stagnaro serving as the primary point of contact. This initiative supports community safety and ecological sustainability by proactively reducing wildfire risk, improving forest health, and fostering a more resilient landscape in a region vulnerable to increasingly intense fire events.