Program Overview
The Forestry and Watershed program envisions healthy Sierra Nevada foothill and forest conditions with active management that employs people, supports recreation, is ownership-based, and relies on effective private and government partnerships.
The program is for private landowners within and adjoining the Sierra National Forest and the Sequoia National Forest. As a voluntary program, resources can be provided by request to better understand, protect, and enhance local forests. The Program has three components: Fire Risk Evaluations, Firewise Communities, and Contractual Work.
Fire Risk Evaluations
The Forestry and Watershed team offers Fire Risk Evaluations (FRE’s) to private landowners at no cost. The FRE highlights management practice opportunities for forested lands. The objective is for landowners to better understand their forested landscape. It includes recommendations on home hardening, defensible space, and forest stewardship. Not only will a FRE help prepare a landowner against wildfire, it will identify forest improvement opportunities, wildfire risk mitigation practices, and highlight resources to implement management practices.
Firewise Communities
The Sierra RCD is the regional coordinator for Fresno County for the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA® Program. Firewise is a nationally recognized certification administered through the NFPA and CAL FIRE. It is a voluntary program that is education focused providing resources to help homeowners adapt to living with wildfires and encouraging neighbors to work together to take action now to prevent losses.
Contractual Work
The Sierra RCD partners with Firewise Communities, the CAL FIRE Fresno Kings Unit, the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests, local Firesafe Councils, and other partners to facilitate forest mangement and fuel reduction practices on private and public land.