WHITE RANCH AND WALT RANCH PRESCRIBED BURNS

White Ranch - The project will involve pile burning and broadcast burning to reduce and remove accumulated dead vegetation and other hazardous fuels across 18 burn units totaling approximately 103.6 acres located on a 197.59 acre parcel. These activities will help protect the rural communities of Pope Valley, Angwin, and surrounding areas, including critical ingress and egress routes. Broadcast burning will also assist in reducing the encroachment of invasive species. The property is located within an area of the County identified as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). The project will involve pile burning operations to prepare the site for broadcast burning by reducing fuel loading and creating conditions suitable for low-intensity broadcast burning. Broadcast burning will then be utilized as a land management tool to help protect communities, maintain critical access and egress routes, and strengthen strategically important areas for wildfire suppression. The project will obtain a Smoke Management Plan approved by the Bay Area Air Quality Air District, in addition to LE-5 and 7 permits through CALFIRE. Walt Ranch - The projects will involve pile burning operations and use of mastication to prepare the site for broadcast burning by reducing fuel loading and creating conditions suitable for low-intensity broadcast burning. Broadcast burning will then be utilized as a land management tool to help protect communities, maintain critical access and egress routes, strengthen strategically important areas for wildfire suppression, and promote long-term forest health, rangeland improvement, and watershed resilience. The project will involve pile burning and broadcast burning to reduce and remove accumulated dead vegetation and other hazardous fuels remaining from the 2017 Atlas Fire. These activities will help protect the rural communities of Circle Oaks, Capell Valley, Berryessa Highlands, and surrounding areas, including critical ingress and egress routes. Broadcast burning will also assist in reducing the encroachment of invasive species and promoting more resilient native plant communities. The property is located within an area of the County identified as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), where fuel reduction treatments are essential to reducing wildfire risk and improving community safety.