A Major Prescribed Burn in Magalia

Summary

An April prescribed burn in Butte County, led by Terra Fuego Resource Foundation, treated 60 acres for the Paradise Unified School District. The project aimed to reduce fuel loads and mitigate fire risks. The burn, coordinated with CAL FIRE and the Butte County Fire Safe Council, faced initial concerns but was successful, consuming 90% of the fuel. The project involved multiple fuel reduction treatments over 11 years. The community, including local residents and school officials, supported the initiative, recognizing its benefits for fire safety and forest health. Future plans include more prescribed burns to maintain fire resilience.

Outline

Terra Fuego Resource Foundation and Prescribed Fire Project Overview

• Zeke Lunder introduces the sponsor, Waterax Pumps, and provides a brief background on the recent burns in Butte County.
• Zeke Lunder explains the project’s history, mentioning the Paradise Unified School District and the Terra Fuego Resource Foundation.
• Zeke Lunder highlights the founder of Terra Fuego, Jim Wills, and his connection to prescribed fire.
• The project’s goal is to reintroduce good fire to the area, which has experienced significant fire trauma.

Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations’ Perspective

• Jake Timm, the Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations for Paradise Unified School District, discusses the property’s history and its intended use.
• Timm expresses excitement about the low-intensity fire compared to past catastrophic fires like the Camp Fire.
• He mentions this is their first prescribed burn and describes the coordination with the Butte Fire Safe Council.
• He emphasizes the community’s relief and the long-term benefits of the project for fire safety.

Butte County Fire Safe Council’s Efforts and Challenges

• Calli-Jane West, former Executive Director of the Butte County Fire Safe Council provides a detailed history of the council’s work and the environmental compliance challenges.
• The council’s initial goal was to create a fire barrier around Magalia, but they shifted focus to thinning the forest.
• The council has been working on grants and environmental compliance for over 11 years to prepare for projects like this.
• The council discusses the importance of community education and the social challenges of reintroducing fire after traumatic fires.

Community Reactions and Fire Safety Culture

• Calli-Jane emphasizes the need to create a culture where people are prepared for fire and understand its benefits.
• Zeke Lunder and Calli-Jane discuss the challenges of working in areas with high poverty and disability rates.
• The importance of grassroots efforts and the impact of small actions like raking pine needles is highlighted.
• The conversation touches on the success of the Fire Wise Communities Program and its potential benefits for insurance and community safety.

Coordination and Collaboration with Partners

• Taylor Nilsson, Director of the  Butte County Fire Safe Council discusses the collaborative effort with Paradise Unified School District and Terra Fuego.
• The council’s vision for incorporating prescribed fire into their projects and the importance of follow-up treatments.
• The challenges of overcoming community trauma and the role of education in building acceptance of prescribed fire.
• The council’s efforts to increase their staff’s prescribed fire experience and expertise through partnerships.

Community Member’s Perspective and Fire Safety Concerns

• Ron McKay, a community member, shares his relief and concerns about the smoke from the burn.
• Ron McKay discusses the property’s condition before the burn and the importance of managing dead trees and slash.
• The conversation touches on the community’s understanding of fire safety and the challenges of funding and managing fire hazards.
• Ron McKay expresses confidence in the burn team’s preparedness and safety measures.

CAL FIRE’s Role and Fire Management Techniques

• Batallion Chief Rob Bartsch from CAL FIRE discusses the burn’s progress and the importance of fuel management.
• The conversation highlights the use of specialized equipment like fireboxes on skids for effective fire management.
• The role of CAL FIRE in supporting prescribed fire efforts and the importance of community education and acceptance.
• The discussion includes the challenges of selling prescribed fire to the community and the need for ongoing collaboration with partners.

Burn Boss’s Perspective and Project Execution

• Bill Jacks, the burn boss for Terra Fuego, provides an overview of the project’s execution and community notifications.
• The importance of a good firing plan and smoke management techniques is emphasized.
• The conversation details the test fire process and the decision to start ignitions in the middle of the unit.
• The role of the Air Quality Management District in ensuring safe and effective prescribed fire operations is highlighted.

Future Plans and Continued Collaboration

• Bill Jacks discusses the potential for future prescribed fire projects with the Butte County Fire Safe Council.
• The importance of maintaining fire return intervals and the benefits of fall burning for ecological and fuel management.
• The conversation touches on the challenges of balancing fuel reduction and community acceptance.
• The role of grassroots efforts and community engagement in achieving long-term fire safety goals is emphasized.