Use slider bar above to explore an example of a shaded fuelbreak, before and after treatment
This project will create a 38-mile shaded fuel break running along the backyards of about 1,700 parcels in the Greater Ross Valley. The fuel reduction zone includes about 1,300 acres from Fairfax to Corte Madera. The project is designed to slow the spread of wildfire to give firefighters time and space to suppress the flames. This project would reduce fire risk to several communities in the wildland urban interface (otherwise known as the WUI) while improving forest and ecosystem health by reducing non-native plant cover.
Project planning was completed in the 2021-22 fiscal year and included mapping, modeling, project design, collaboration with partner agencies, public outreach, field surveys, and environmental compliance. Project implementation began in summer 2022 and is expected to continue through 2024. Future maintenance would include phased implementation of recommended vegetation management activities along the shaded fuel break.
The Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break Project is a collaboration of MWPA, Marin County Fire Department, Ross Valley Fire Department, Kentfield Fire Protection District, and Central Marin Fire Department. The project is funded by a $3.25 million Cal Fire grant and Measure C funds.
The following public events have occurred for the Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break Project. To receive info regarding future project meetings, please send an email to: GRVSFB@panoramaenv.com. Future public events for this project will also be advertised on this project webpage and included in the MWPA community calendar. Project neighbors will generally receive a mailed postcard advertising relevant public events in their area. Additionally, follow MWPA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest information and updates.
8/17/22 Site Visit: Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Preserve, 9:30am-noon. Nearly 50 people joined a field trip to explore the first phase of the Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break Project.
7/26/22 Public Meeting: Sleepy Hollow Community Center, 6-7:30pm, with remote viewing option provided. At this meeting, residents and stakeholders learned about the first phases of project implementation. Presentations, posters, and handouts are posted below.
Presentation Video: Available here
Presentation Slides: Available here
Project Map Posters:
Poster 1: Overall Project Area
Poster 2: Phase 1 Project Area
Poster 3: CalVTP Process
Poster 4: Treatments within the Project Area
Project Summary Handout: Available here
3/10/22 Public Meeting: The MWPA and participating member agencies hosted an online public meeting via zoom on March 10, 2022 from 6-8pm to share information about the Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break Project.
Topics included:
• A description of the project and its goals and objectives
• Fuels management methods and monitoring
• California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) environmental review process
Breakout Room 1 Slides: Vegetation Treatments
Breakout Room 2 Slides: Methods and Modeling
Breakout Room 3 Slides: Environmental Resources and Compliance Process
Video: Main Presentation and Breakout Room 1 (all 3 sessions)
Video: Breakout Room 2 (all 3 sessions)
Video: Breakout Room 3 (all 3 sessions)
Environmental Documents
The Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break Planning Project (GRVSFB) includes activities covered by CAL FIRE’s California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR). That analysis is available here: Project Specific Analysis (PSA)-Addendum
More Project Resources
Draft Project Area Maps (updated 3/10/22)
To view the project area spatially, click on this link: Overview KMZ and dowload the file. This file is viewable using Google Earth and allows the user to navigate and zoom into different parts of the project area. Open the file with earth.google.com or install Google Earth - use these instructions.
Note: The KMZ file shows the shaded fuel break as 300 feet wide, although typically fuel and forest health restoration treatments would occur within a 200-foot-wide zone.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions - Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break
Vegetation management work is expected to occur along a 10-mile segment from Red Hill in San Anselmo to Whites Hill in Fairfax as well as a section in Corte Madera from August 2022 through January 2023.
