42 Road GNA Wildfire Resilience

2021 0915 42RoadGNA ScopingLetter signed

Introduction

The district starts analysis of about 2,994 acres of treatments in a roughly 5,000-acre area west of La Pine State Park, under Good Neighbor Authority with Oregon Department of Forestry.3

Background

Stands are about 80% ponderosa and 20% lodgepole pine; fire exclusion left dense stands, and the area is now in fire regime condition class 2 and in places 3.3

Purpose and Need

Aims to improve resilience to wildfire, insects and disease, and give firefighters a favorable operating environment by reducing surface and ladder fuels near private property, roads, meadows and riparian areas.3

Proposed Action

Proposes understory, overstory and fuels treatments on about 2,994 acres, including precommercial and commercial thinning, prescribed burning and pile burning; treatment acres overlap.3

2024 0711 42RdGNA DM Signed

Background

Describes a roughly 5,600-acre project area with 3,727 acres of WUI including Fall River Estates, Fall River Fish Hatchery and the Fall River Guard Station, with 2,994 acres to be treated.2

Purpose and Need

Seeks to reduce large-scale wildfire threat to people and property, improve forest health and resilience, and restore riparian and meadow habitat where this fits with fuels reduction.2

Decision

Authorizes treatment of 2,994 acres through upland ponderosa pine restoration plus meadow and riparian treatments that reintroduce fire to the landscape.2

Upland Silviculture and Fuels Treatments

Uses mechanical methods (tracked harvester, ground-based logging, mastication) and hand thinning and piling; priority areas are along the main roads, and treatments may overlap.2