VCPBA Oak Woodland Conservation 2025-2029

The Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association (VCPBA) plans to conduct thinning, brushing, chipping, and prescribed burning (pile burning and broadcast burning) across numerous sites in Ventura County. The purpose of this project is to prevent tree mortality of mature oak trees by reducing dead woody fuels and certain vegetation growing under mature oak canopy that can cause cambium-kill and canopy fire if not prescribed burnt. This work will both reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire and fire-harden mature oak trees (primarily Quercus agrifolia, Q. lobata, and Q. john-tuckeri). VCPBA will also be surveying and managing golden spotted oak borer (GSOB). GSOB amplifier trees will be felled and chipped immediately to slow the spread of this non-native invasive beetle. Oak trees that that are minimally infested will be treated with insecticide and/or their bark will be burnt to reduce the spread and proliferation of these high risk beetles. At other project sites, dead vegetation and dead wood will be pile burned. Oak plantings may also occur on some project sites to encourage oak reforestation in non-native invasive plant habitats (particularly Centaurea solstitialis). Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) will inspect burn units, prior to broadcast and pile burning. VCPBA will acquire burn permits from both VCFD and from Ventura Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD), prior to any prescribed burns. Beneficiaries of this project include residents across Ventura County, particularly in certain areas of Lockwood Valley, Ojai, and Simi Valley.