Reducing Catastrophic Fire Threat Near Washington Fire Burn Area

Sonora, CA – Three million in grant funding for local agencies to reduce catastrophic fire threats near the Washington Fire area in Sonora, including a public meeting regarding the plans.

The separate grants were awarded to the Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD) and the Tuolumne Fire Safe Council (TFSC). The funds will be used to reduce the fire fuel loads along Jamestown Road, maintain and widen the fuel break around the Dragoon Gulch Trail, and fuels along the boundaries of the Dragoon Gulch Hiking area.

“Together, these grant-funded projects will significantly increase the safety of nearby communities from a catastrophic fire,” stated TCRCD officials.

Those communities are Sonora Knolls, Gibbs Ranch, Racetrack Road, Peppermint Falls, and the multiple developments along Golf Links Road that were all threatened by the August 26, 2021, Washington Fire, which destroyed 136 acres and 19 structures.

The Jamestown Road Fuels Management Project will reduce the fire fuel density on 622 acres surrounded by many of those communities and managed by the TCRCD (district). First, a project plan will be developed along with a complete environmental review and implementation of fuel reduction treatments on around 16 parcels.

“This strategic location provides increased wildfire protection to the communities of Jamestown and Sonora and is estimated to cost approximately $2,500,000, which will be funded by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM),” stated district officials.

The TFSC (council) will oversee the Dragoon Fuels Reduction project on 90 acres using a combination of mastication on the dozer line/firebreak constructed during the Washington Fire and hand work.

“The mastication will remove vegetation that has grown in the interim, clean up edges to improve the viewscape, make the fire break/dozer line more aesthetically pleasing, and help ensure it functions effectively to protect adjacent properties,” advised council officials.

The remainder will be handwork, creating shaded fuel breaks along the private property lines and Race Track Road. CAL Fire’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program, which is part of the California Climate Investments Program, provided the funding.

The district and council will hold a joint Town Hall meeting to discuss the projects on Wednesday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sonora City Council Board Room, 94 N. Washington Street.