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Dunsmuir outlines multi-grant wildfire mitigation push, seeks chip disposal sites
Summary
Council heard a detailed update on local fuel-reduction work tied to a countywide $10 million Community Wildfire Defense Grant and a local grant covering roughly 100–180 acres; contractors will tour homes Sept. 26 and work is expected to start in October, though funding limits mean not all sign-ups can be served immediately.
A presenter updating the city council said Dunsmuir will pursue on-the-ground hazardous-fuel reduction after winning a local grant and participating in a countywide Community Wildfire Defense Grant.
“The overview was this was 690 acres to begin with of CEQA, turned into about 800…about a 103–183 acres of on the ground hazardous fuel reduction work,” the presenter said, describing mechanical and manual vegetation removal, defensible-space clearing along evacuation routes and structure protection guided by the Dunsmuir Community Wildfire Protection Plan. He said contractors are expected on the ground in October with a hope to finish primary work by late November.
The presenter said the countywide Community Wildfire Defense Grant totals $10,000,000 and is intended to provide defensible-space work for up to 500 homes across Siskiyou County; Dunsmuir was prioritized after the project-team matrix identified underserved, high-concern communities. “This is to provide…free defensible space for underserved citizens for 500 homes,” the presenter said, adding that 125 homes elsewhere in the county have been completed and 25 homes are currently signed up in Dunsmuir under that program.
Council and staff pressed the presenter on logistics. He said homeowners have signed up—about 250 expressed interest under the local program though funding will not immediately cover all of them—and explained limits on tree removals: only trees up to 13-inch DBH would be removed because larger trees are merchantable and would trigger timber-harvest-plan requirements. He also said a contractor field tour is set for Sept. 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the community center to help bidders scope work.
One operational problem remains unresolved: where to put chips and slash. “You will not be able to leave the chips or the slash in place…they are flammable,” the presenter said. Councilors suggested options, including Yreka’s air-curtain burner as a backup, but noted hauling and holding chips off-site adds cost.
The city did not commit additional funds during the discussion; the presenter said staff will complete as many locations as funding allows and may use other county-level grant funds where eligible.
