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CAL FIRE outlines season outlook, staffing changes and grant opportunities for Humboldt County
Summary
CAL FIRE’s new Humboldt‑Del Norte Unit Chief presented priorities for fuel reduction, defensible‑space education and grant support; staff noted Vibrant Planet modeling and listed local NCRP Capacity Grant awardees and a June 30 CAL FIRE pre‑application deadline.
Jennifer Scales, the new Humboldt‑Del Norte Unit Chief for CAL FIRE, briefed the Fire Safe Council on staffing and the wildfire outlook during the May 14 meeting. Scales said CAL FIRE’s key priorities are to expand fuel‑reduction projects, increase public education on defensible space, and support grant funding and project identification across the unit.
Scales and staff described a mixed weather forecast with critically dry dead and live fuels expected in June through August and said escaped debris burns and roadside ignitions remain significant sources of wildfire starts. Scales also noted that Humboldt will be in the first group to test Vibrant Planet, a statewide modeling program intended to combine fuel models, infrastructure and weather to help plan treatments and support grant applications.
The meeting minutes listed recent personnel changes: Sean Wilson will start May 18 as a new Division Chief for Southern Operations, Community Risk and Wildfire Reduction, overseeing the Pre‑fire Battalion.
Members also heard a series of grant announcements recorded in the minutes. The NCRP Capacity Grant awards included amounts for Willow Creek Fire Safe Council ($73,820), Hoopa Fire Safe Council ($62,539), Tsnungwe of California ($40,000), and several larger Track 2 awards to tribal and regional partners. The minutes also reminded attendees that CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant pre‑applications are due June 30 and pointed participants to the CAL FIRE grants webpage for details.
Scales and CAL FIRE staff described planned Rx burns (Redway and French Ranch roadside) and emphasized continued focus on defensible‑space inspections and public education. The presentation included an overview of Vibrant Planet and how consistent statewide data may be used for future fire planning and the 2027 fire plan.
