A Shaded Fuel Break A shaded fuel break is a selective forest management strategy used for mitigating the threat of wildfire in areas where natural fire regimes have been suppressed, leading to a dangerous buildup of combustible vegetation. Constructing a shaded fuel break is the process of selectively thinning and removing more flammable understory vegetation while leaving the majority of larger, more fire tolerant tree species in place. This type of fuels removal also helps keep wildfires from becoming dangerous “crown” fires, able to move swiftly across the top of the forest, while casting embers up to 5 miles away. A shaded fuel break provides safe ingress and egress in the event of a fire emergency, often allowing crews access with men and equipment, early on in a fire event.
A Shaded Fuel Break

COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION FUND

In an effort to help reduce wildfire devastation like that which took place recently in California, Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources & Environment (TuCARE) has established a fundraising campaign for The Community Wildfire Protection Fund (CWPF).  The campaign will create resources to fund fire fuels reduction projects on private land, within neighborhoods, and in and around subdivisions.  In addition, funds will be used to assist private landowners who are adjacent to the proposed “North Tuolumne Community Shaded Fuel Break”.  All funds raised will be used for actual work done on the ground.  Sonora Area Foundation will accept the funds and facilitate funding disbursements.

A small demonstration project is proposed.  The purpose of this project is to show the public and donors what an actual fuel break looks like at completion, and to dispel myths and misconceptions about fuel reduction on the landscape.

Future project selections will be based on urgency of need, and funding levels will be based on a tiered schedule.  TuCARE hopes landowners will “invest” in the project if possible, but allowances will be made based on the need to complete the project and the financial need of the landowner.

Scheduled project maintenance on funded projects will be a component of the CWPF.  Completed projects will be maintained for continued fire protection values.

The CWPF campaign was scheduled to be kicked off at TuCARE’s Annual Dinner on March 14, 2020, but the event had to be canceled due to the Covid 19 restrictions.

Members of TuCARE’s Board of Directors are available to present the project at meetings and events.

To donate to the project, please contact Sonora Area Foundation.  Your donations are tax deductible.  TuCARE is a 501 (c)3 non-profit. When donating all checks should be made payable to: Sonora Area Foundation.  Please note on your donation that it is for the “CWPF Project”.

Donations can also be made online at www.sonora-area.org .
Have questions? Want a presentation? Contact TuCARE at (209) 586-7816 or email them at tucare@mlode.com.

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