Shaded Fuel Break along Cavedale Rd
Sonoma’s Vegetation Management Grant Program has awarded MFSC $177,000 to perform 1.4 miles of roadside fuel reduction on Cavedale Road from SVFD Station 9 at 4601 Cavedale north to approximately 6130 Cavedale.
This project tightly integrates with regionally collaborative efforts to establish a robust ridgeline fuel break along the Napa-Sonoma border, which is a top priority for both Sonoma Valley Fire Department and CAL FIRE.
The Project: The aim of the work is to create/maintain a shaded fuel break on either side of Cavedale Rd. in the project area. A shaded fuel break means we will remove the ‘ladder’ fuels but leave trees. Where needed, resprouting hardwoods (like Madrone and Bay) will be thinned to concentrate the growth to one or two trunks. The objective of a shaded fuel break is to reduce fire fuel levels and to leave living trees to grow and produce shade. We expect the work to cover 60-75’ on the west side of Cavedale and 30-50’ on the east side.
Timing: We have hired professional forester, Greg Holquist, to manage the project. You will hear from Greg and the MFSC about the project as work progresses. Currently we are working with the County on our CEQA compliance. Because the project follows an existing roadway, we are eligible for a CEQA exemption which will greatly speed up the start of the project. Once that is in hand, we will hire and schedule contractors to do the work. We may be able to start the work by early fall 2023, and all the work must be completed by the end of 2024.
We will use Nextdoor, the MVFF web site and Instagram to keep you posted on the progress of the work. The project impacts 12 properties and the property owners will receive email updates with additional details.
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Invasive acacia removal along power lines
Our Fire Safe Council has worked closely with PG&E to coordinate the removal of invasive acacia trees along Trinity and Jensen. A $54,000 grant from PG&E extends planned work for a fuel break adjacent to power lines. Work will be completed by November 2023.
Strike tree removal January 2023
“Strike trees” are dead trees from the 2017 fire that will block our roads when they fall. MVFF has been working with Sonoma County Roads Department to make them aware of this hazard. The County has secured funding to remove some of these trees in the County’s road easement. This is great news and will help keep our roads open!
The work spans from SVFD Station 8 to approximately 3703 Trinity and from SVFD Station 8 to approximately 5420 Cavedale. The downed trees will be hauled off and no material will be left behind.
The work may start as early as January 9th. The county will install message boards on our roads to notify you of the work and MVFF will keep you updated here.
Both Cavedale and Trinity roads will be open during this work, but one-way traffic controls will be in place resulting in possible 30-minute delays
Your Mayacamas Fire Safe Council is working to secure grants to provide similar work in other locations, as well as a host of fuel reduction and invasive species mitigation.
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