Airport district approves nearly $2 million for regional wildfire mitigation projects

The Truckee Tahoe Airport District board voted to authorize the general manager to enter into agreements to fund four regional wildfire fuel‑reduction projects and a planning effort, approving about $1.97 million in project funding and $100,000 for multi‑jurisdiction planning on March 18.

Board President Diamond said the district added $2 million in the 2025 strategic initiative budget for wildfire mitigation and asked the board to authorize staff to move forward. The staff report noted projects developed with local fire districts and community service districts that sit inside the airport district boundary and that many projects carry over from last year’s strategic initiative.

Why it matters: the board framed the funding as a public‑purpose investment to reduce wildfire risk to district property, local communities and airport operations. Presenters said mitigation provides co‑benefits including forest restoration, water‑quality benefits and reduced tree mortality.

North Star Fire Department forester Joe Baron described the proposed North Star projects and the planning basis for site selection. “The work that we're doing is not only for wildfire prevention mitigation efforts, but also forest restoration, water quality enhancement, wildlife,” Baron said. He added the team used ground reconnaissance and wildfire fuel modeling to prioritize polygons on the map presented to the board.

Olympic Valley Fire Chief Brad Chisholm outlined projects identified in the community wildfire protection plan (CWPP), including completed and proposed shaded fuel breaks. “OV4 … allows for mechanical thinning, which allows us to achieve a better prescription, as well as be more cost effective,” Chisholm said, describing a combined approach of mechanical thinning and hand crews.

Truckee Fire wildfire prevention specialist Maria Marsh told the board the Glenshire/Martis Peak evacuation route project would be largely mechanized thinning on privately owned acreage and would leverage Measure T funds as a local match. Marsh said the district requested roughly $800,000 to be matched with about $900,000 from Measure T and other partners.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nathan Mint reviewed legal authorities for defensible‑space requirements and urged use of state grant programs and county hazardous vegetation management to support privately owned parcels. Several presenters emphasized maintenance and the need for long‑term funding to sustain benefits after initial treatments.

Board discussion focused on phasing, matching funds from private landowners and counties, costs per acre for hand thinning versus mechanical treatments, and the challenge of removing and processing biomass. Directors asked staff to consider phasing some designs over two years to fit contractor and funding capacity.

The board adopted a motion making the same public‑purpose findings as last year and authorized the general manager to enter into agreements with the fire districts and community service districts to implement the four prioritized projects and the planning effort. The board vote carried; the motion passed and staff will return with agreement documents and additional project scoping as work progresses.

Officials also asked staff to return with additional project proposals and contract language clarifying project timelines (18 months from agreement execution) and expectations for matching contributions and maintenance planning. The board directed staff to coordinate with Cal Fire, Placer County and other partners on permitting and grant opportunities.

Next steps: staff will finalize agreement documents and return to the board with any additional projects, proposed phasing options and firm contract amounts for board approval.