The Watershed Research Training Center, “Southern Trinity Fire Resiliency Project” – USFS Pilot

The Southern Trinity Fire Resiliency Project is a USFS Pilot initiative funded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and implemented by The Watershed Research Training Center. The project focuses on reducing wildfire hazards in Humboldt and Trinity Counties, specifically targeting two strategically selected National Forest System Roads and adjacent plantations. To achieve these goals, the project will employ fuels reduction treatments including manual thinning, burning, and roadside chipping. These efforts are designed to improve overall forest health, protect late successional forests, and establish safe ingress and egress routes for firefighters, residents, and the general public during wildfire events. The project is centered in Hayfork, California, and is managed by primary contacts Shannon Johnson of CAL FIRE and Randi Paris of The Watershed Research Training Center. Administratively, the project has been granted a CEQA exemption under Public Resources Code Section 4799.05(d)(1) and references prior NEPA review conducted under the Trinity County Collaborative Roads and Plantations Pilot Project. This coordinated effort ensures that the critical fuels reduction work aligns with existing environmental reviews while prioritizing regional fire resiliency and public safety.