The Mendocino National Forest Fuel Reduction Partnership: Smokey Project (Project) is a collaboration between the Mendocino National Forest (MNF), private landowners within the Forest and the Glenn County Resource Conservation District (RCD). The overall Smokey Project is a landscape-scale land management project comprised of 7,059 acres of fuels reduction treatments and prescribed fire units, which will ultimately lead to healthy forest stands and prevent or reduce the devastation of wildfires as well as pest-related mortality.

This Project, focusing on 636 acres of mechanical thinning, was designed to create a more resilient landscape by working to 1) concentrate carbon storage in widely spaced and larger trees that are more resilient to wildfire, drought, and insect attacks and 2) reduce the likelihood of wildfire transition into the forest canopy.  In addition to mechanical thinning, project design included prescribed fire to be used as well as restoration in meadow areas. The Project intent was also to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strengthen the economy and improve public health and environment for the community to achieve California Climate Investment (CCI) goals.

In April 2020 the Glenn County RCD and the Mendocino National Forest entered into an agreement for the RCD to implement the project. Having NEPA completed in 2012 paved the way for the RCD to apply for grant funding.   In March 2020 the Glenn County RCD received a CAL FIRE Forest Health (CCI) Grant.  The Mendocino National Forest and the Tehama-Glenn Fire Safe Council both contributed match funds.

In June 2020, a Request for Proposals was released and in July 2020 the Paul Roen Company was selected as the most qualified proposal coming in under Glenn County RCD’s budget. The Paul Roen Company sub-contracted the project to Diversified Resources, Inc.  The August Complex fire started in mid-August 2020 and containment was not reached until mid-November.  During this time the fire and project area were monitored, with the fire ultimately impacting the project area.  Implementation of the Smokey Project Began in October 2022. In total 239.67 acres where completed in 2022. Implementation continued in September 2023; the remaining 396 acres where completed in 2023. Through on-going communications and working closely with CAL FIRE, the MNF and Diversified Resources, Inc., the RCD was able to complete the project on time and within budget.  Due to rapid regrowth in one area of the project, 52.5 acres of the project completed in 2022 were re-treated in 2023. 

Glenn County RCD and partners will continue to monitor the project site through photo monitoring and GIS mapping and the Mendocino National Forest will continue to monitor the area for additional fire related impacts.  The August Complex fires had a devastating impact on the forest and the success of this project has created a project template that can be used in other affected areas.    

Pre Implmentation 

Post Implmentation

Project Progress Map

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

The Mendocino National Forest Fuel Reduction Partnership: Smokey Project, is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zeroemission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.