Tehama Mendocino Fuel Reduction Partnership (Phase 3)

The Tehama Mendocino Fuels Reduction Partnership Phase 3 is a landscape-scale post-fire restoration and reforestation project designed to improve Mendocino National Forest lands in Tehama County that were negatively impacted by the 2020 August Complex Fire. This collaboration between the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County and the Mendocino National Forest focuses on 1,142 acres of conifer forests, chaparral lands, and grassland meadows. The primary goals are to reduce fuel loading and reestablish forestlands through the production of biochar, reforestation, and fuel reduction treatments. The project utilizes a combination of mechanical and hand work to ensure all designated areas are treated, with funding provided by the CAL FIRE Forest Health Program. The project is scheduled to begin in July 2025 and is anticipated to be completed by March 30, 2030. Key milestones include the thinning of 571 acres and biochar production by March 2023, and the manual piling of 571 acres by March 2030. Environmental compliance is managed with the Mendocino National Forest as the NEPA lead and the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County as the CEQA lead. Operations must adhere to CA 14 CCR 936.5 for riparian area protection, and tribal monitoring of cultural resources and site surveys will be conducted by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki. The primary point of contact for the project is District Forester Seronica Biggs.