Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association

06/14/2026

*We're burning near Phillipsville/Garberville/Redway/Alderpoint tomorrow!*

Briceland Volunteer Fire Department, in partnership with the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (RCD), the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association (HCPBA), CAL FIRE, participating landowners, and community partners, is planning the Huestis Rock Prescribed Burn, a 170-acre prescribed fire grass rangeland project located on Mail Ridge near Dyerville Loop Road.

Burn operations are tentatively scheduled for June 12–14, 2026, pending favorable weather conditions, fuel moisture, staffing availability, and regulatory approval. Exact ignition dates and operational periods will be determined based on conditions that support safe and effective burning.

The prescribed burn is designed to improve rangeland health by targeting invasive species such as Barbed Goatgrass and Medusahead grass, increasing wildfire resilience and supporting long-term stewardship objectives on private lands. By strategically applying low-intensity fire under carefully monitored conditions, project partners aim to reduce the risk of future high-severity wildfires while promoting healthy ecosystem function.

Residents in the area may observe smoke, fire personnel, equipment, and temporary increases in traffic during burn operations. Smoke impacts are expected to be short-term and will be monitored throughout the project. Every effort will be made to minimize impacts to nearby communities while achieving project objectives.

Prescribed burning is conducted under strict safety protocols and coordinated among trained fire personnel, landowners, and partner organizations. Operations will only proceed when weather and site conditions meet established prescription parameters.

The Huestis Rock Burn represents a collaborative effort among local fire agencies, landowners, and community organizations working together to restore the beneficial role of fire on the landscape and improve wildfire preparedness throughout Southern Humboldt. Funding for this has been provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Forest Health Program, through the North Coast Resource Partnership, as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: http://www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov

More information about the Huestis project can be found at: https://humboldtrcd.org/projects/wildfire-resiliency-planning-for-mail-ridge/

https://www.northcoastresourcepartnershipprojects.org/Project/Detail/17696



(https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/grants/forest-health)

(https://www.humcopba.org)

(https://humboldtrcd.org)

(https://bricelandfire.org/)

(https://humboldtgov.org/FireSafeCouncil)

(https://treesfoundation.org)

05/30/2026

The perfect spring burn - patchy, mosaic, beautiful.

Our burn last weekend went perfectly. Some thoughts after walking the unit 1 week and 2 days of rain later:

The goal of burning is not 'clean black', it's rejuvination. It's not about black acres, but helping the right place at the right time. We pick moderate weather and moisture conditions so that fire is able to pick and choose what to cook and what to keep.

Mosaic or patchy burns are good. Some places burn hot, some places burn cool, and some places don't burn at all. Yes, not all the 'fuel' was consumed, but that log or shrub isn't just 'fuel' to everyone. To a botanist they're plants, to a deer or bear they're food, to a salamander they're home.

Burning is a holistic practice, it affects everything. Good fire harms and heals at the same time. Mixed, patchy, and mosaic effects ensure we've reached our human objectives, while retaining food, homes, and hiding places for everyone else that lives and loves in the woods.

1-9: Burn day with an amazing crew of volunteers.
10-11: Securing and patroling.
12: Unforecasted rain came to help extinguish the fire. A sign that nature had our back.
13-16: 1 week post-fire. Mosaic fire effects. Green, brown, and black.
17-20: A young yew, a coral root, and some black-capped raspberries the fire chose to keep :)

A huge thanks to all of our volunteers, members, and partner organizations. We can't do this work without all of us!

05/23/2026

We'll be burning near HWY 299 @ Redwood Creek today!!

Today 5/23/26 HCPBA volunteers, neighbors, and partner organizations will be burning up to 4 acres of mixed hardwood forest to improve defensible space and reduce hazardous fuels near a member's residence ahead of wildfire season

Smoke may be visible from HWY 299 between Berry Summit and Lord Ellis Summit. Please do not report a wildfire unless you suspect it is NOT our prescribed fire.

All of our burns are conducted by a diverse mix of community members, prescribed fire practitioners and fire professionals in accordance with CAL FIRE and North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District regulations.

Thank you for supporting community-led prescribed fire!

05/08/2026

A Celebration of Life in honor of Mark Martin will be held on Sat. May 9th from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the Redway Fire Protection District Station.

Mark shared his skills gained from many years in the fire service to assist with prescribed burns in our area with the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1463002935840044&id=100063910548964

05/04/2026

Curious about cultural fire? Join us in June for this is a very informative event!

We'll be there to speak as a panelist, and assist with the demonstration burn.

The 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮, in partnership with 𝗬𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 and 𝗖𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 is hosting the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 on June 16th & 17th. A two-day interagency and community event where attendees will have the opportunity to engage in this year’s theme – 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴: 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦

On the first day of the symposium, you will hear from guest speakers such as tribal leaders, fire and cultural practitioners, and youth burners on the utilization of cultural and prescribed burns. Along with presentations on the cultural importance and ecological benefits of conducting cultural burning and land tending activities.

On the second day of this event, you will have the chance to experience or even participate in a cultural fire operation. The Cultural Fire Symposium presents a unique opportunity for the public to learn traditional and valuable practices of land tending, and how it plays a role in reducing the risk of wildfires in the region. Come and learn how traditional ecological knowledge can reduce wildfire risk and restore balance to our ecosystems! This event is 100% free!

Register today at https://www.bluelakerancheria-nsn.gov/event/cfs/

04/21/2026

Some very unfortunately news from our friends on the Klamath River.

For more information on Sudden Oak Death, how it spreads, and how to manage it, visit suddenoakdeath.org.

Announcement regarding sudden oak death!!!!

04/21/2026

CAL FIRE burn permits are required starting May 1, 2026! Get yours today!

Obtain a CAL FIRE permit at: https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/
A North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) permit is required year round! Learn more and get your permit at: https://www.ncuaqmd.org/

02/06/2026

We're getting another burn in before it rains!

On Saturday, February 7th, the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association will be assisting a local landowner with a 'Learn/Burn' in the Fickle Hill area. We will be broadcast burning around 3 acres of mixed redwood forest to improve forest health, promote biodiversity, and generate quality habitat. This burn will also provide opportunities for local residents to learn to use prescribed fire in redwood forests.

Smoke may be visible from Arcata, Eureka Blue Lake, and Kneeland.

*All plans and dates are subject to change or cancellation depending on weather conditions, resource availability, air quality, regional wildfire activity, and other factors.*

All of our burns are carefully conducted by a diverse mix of community members, prescribed fire practitioners, and fire professionals in accordance with CAL FIRE and North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District regulations. Thank you for supporting community burning!

02/04/2026

We'll be burning near Korbel tomorrow!
- Wednesday February 4th -

We're assisting a local rancher with patch burning up to 30 acres of bramble and woody shrubs within prairies. The intention of this burn is to maintain open grassland habitats and improve forage value for livestock and wildlife.

Smoke may be visible from Blue Lake, Korbel and Hwy 299

*All plans and dates are subject to change or cancellation depending on weather conditions, resource availability, air quality, regional wildfire activity, and other factors.*

All of our burns are carefully conducted by a diverse mix of community members, prescribed fire practitioners, and fire professionals in accordance with CAL FIRE and North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District regulations.

Thank you for supporting community burning!

01/24/2026

We'll be burning tomorrow! Saturday, 1/24

~ Hwy 299 near Redwood Creek ~
We'll be taking advantage of this perfect winter dry spell to restore more oak woodlands! This is *arguably* the best time to reduce fuels and encroachment with good fire in these sensitive habitats. Smoke may be visible from Hwy 299 near Lord Ellis and Berry Summits.

~ Prosper Ridge, Petrolia ~
PBA members will be assisting Mattole Restoration Council with a pile burn as part of a grassland restoration project.

*All plans and dates are subject to change or cancellation depending on weather conditions, resource availability, air quality, regional wildfire activity, and other factors.*

All of our burns are carefully conducted by a diverse mix of community members, prescribed fire practitioners and fire professionals in accordance with CAL FIRE and North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District regulations.

Thank you for supporting community burning!