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Trail group says Dixie Fire left more than 1,000 downed trees; pushes for maintenance and ‘fire-hardened’ trails
Summary
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship told the Plumas County Board that Dixie Fire damage, hazard trees and aggressive brush regrowth are threatening recreational access; the nonprofit is seeking funding sources to maintain and protect trails and proposed ‘fire-hardened’ trail concepts to preserve trail access after fires.
Representatives of Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship updated the Plumas County Board on the group's trail-building, maintenance and wildfire-resilience work and described large-scale storm- and fire-related maintenance needs after the Dixie Fire.
Michelle Abramson, participating via Zoom for the stewardship group, told the board that the organization cleared more than 1,000 downed trees on the Mount Hough trail system in 2024 and removed roughly 300 hazard trees. She said the fire has burned roots and made many standing trees unstable, producing new hazards that threaten trail access and safety.
"We saw, we cut down or sorry, we cleared over a thousand trees, downed trees, on the Mount Hough Veil system in 2024," Abramson said.
The presentation outlined three priorities: completing trail projects in the Mount Hough and Beckwourth areas, supporting environmental surveys required for trail alignments, and increasing maintenance funding to keep existing trails open. Abramson emphasized maintenance as the group's top short-term need, saying that severe burn areas have fast brush regrowth and unstable trees that cause repeated trail closures.
Sierra Buttes also described a concept it calls "fire-hardened trails". Abramson said the aim is not to create firebreaks but to protect trail infrastructure so trails can remain passable as a public resource after wildfire. Benefits listed include preserving recreation-based local economic opportunities and providing access corridors that can aid firefighters.
Board members and residents asked about multi-use design and safety for hikers, equestrians and bicyclists; Sierra Buttes said it is working with the U.S. Forest Service on trail standards and user maps to clarify appropriate trail choices for different users and to build alternative routes around steeper or more hazardous sections.
The group said one grant source it had previously sought — an off-highway vehicle (OHV) maintenance grant — was not awarded in 2025, but staff reported they had identified multiple other funding sources and expected to maintain current projects. The stewardship group is partnering with neighboring counties and nonprofits on environmental surveys and trail alignment work, and it said it will continue volunteer maintenance and targeted paid crews to reduce hazard trees and reopen trails.
The board took no action; the item was discussion only. Staff said they will continue to coordinate on permits, funding opportunities and public safety communications about trail conditions.
