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Local fuel‑break projects show benefits but maintenance costs and timing present major challenges
Summary
Volunteer and contractor groups described how initial-entry fuel breaks lessen fire intensity in Calaveras County, but presenters warned that lack of timely maintenance can erase benefits and estimated ongoing upkeep could cost roughly $1.5 million annually at build-out.
At the Firewise Calaveras Festival, Pat Ruby, a member of a local forest team, walked attendees through the county’s fuel‑break work since 2015 and explained why the long‑term maintenance question remains central to protecting communities.
Ruby showed before‑and‑after photos of treated corridors and cited specific project examples such as a BLM fuel break installed for $183,000 that had regrown after 12 years without retreatment. He said at planned build‑out the Highway 4 corridor work is expected to protect an estimated…
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