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Forest Service reports higher staffing and expanded fuel‑reduction projects on Trinity national forest
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Summary
U.S. Forest Service representatives told the Board they expect higher fire staffing this season, described multiple community risk reduction projects (Big Ranch, North Trinity, Junction City, South Fork Mountain, Wildwood, Trinity Divide, Weaverville fuel break), and announced local training events and a partner celebration at the Vets Hall.
U.S. Forest Service representatives updated the Trinity County Board on staffing, preparedness and a series of planning and implementation projects on national forest lands that affect the county.
A Forest Service speaker said fire staffing levels are anticipated to be higher than in recent years and that engines, hotshot crews and the agency helicopter will be fully staffed as the region moves into the fire season. "We have turned the corner and, our hotshots are fully staffed, our helicopter is fully staffed, our, and all of our engines will be staffed," the representative said.
Officials described a suite of projects intended to reduce community risk, including the Big Ranch Community Risk Reduction Project, the North Trinity County Community Risk Reduction Project, the Junction City project led by the Watershed Center, the South Fork Mountain Project (led by partners on the Six Rivers), the Wildwood project (with Trinity River Lumber), the Trinity Divide project (led by CR Pacific Industries) and the Weaverville fuel break led by the Trinity County RCD. The speakers said planners incorporated roughly 4,000 acres identified in the county CWPP into the Big Ranch project.
The Forest Service also announced it will host prescribed‑fire training in May and an agency administrator workshop in June, and said a partner event to celebrate completed work will be held at the Vets Hall. Officials credited collaboration with county and local partners for accelerating planning and implementation and said there is more planning this year than in the prior two decades.
Board members thanked agency staff and noted local hires and on‑the‑ground work that residents are beginning to see. The Forest Service said its teams are coordinating pre‑season meetings with CAL FIRE, local chiefs and cooperators and are conducting training to ensure interagency readiness.
No formal board action was requested during the update.
