Photo Credit: Brian Gossman Photography

Prescribed Fire (Local)

Did you know that the Watershed Center has a local prescribed fire program in Trinity County? 

Ellen and Qwalen, residents of Hyampom, are our local Prescribed Fire Operations Specialists.

The backbone of our prescribed fire program is the inclusive learning environment created through our cooperative burning.  We host hands-on trainings and cooperative burns to deepen our understanding of land management with the use of long-term prescribed fire application. All of our work happens in and around our highest value resources and assets: our communities. 

The Watershed Center leads the Trinity Integrated Fire Management Partnership (TIFMP), a cooperative and cross-boundary, multi-partner effort to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health and wildlife habitat by building the local capacity to plan and implement cooperative prescribed burning throughout Trinity County, California. Our partners include Trinity County Resource Conservation District, Hayfork Fire Department, Hyampom Fire Department, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, CAL FIRE, and volunteers from the community.  

We also support the development of local Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) - community members helping each other manage the land with fire.  We provide support for these PBAs with training and mentorship. 

Interested to learn more?  Attend one of our burns and learn through participating.  We believe “fire is for everyone”, and that you can serve a role in bringing good fire back to the landscape, regardless of ability or experience.

Do you want to manage your land with fire?  Email Ellen and Qwalen at fireoperations@thewatershedcenter.com to learn more.  There are also opportunities with our Forestry and Fuels Program (see the Forestry/Fuels Program content above) on initial fuels reduction if your land needs extra help before implementing a prescribed fire.

Learn more about our Statewide Prescribed Fire work, and check out our 2023 Fire Program Accomplishments.

Prescribed Fire Training (Regional)

Did you know that the Watershed Center has a team of prescribed fire practitioners dedicated to increasing the use of prescribed fire across the State of California through training, coaching, and mentoring?

Andrea and José are our Prescribed Fire Training Specialists.  They travel all over the State working with community groups to scale up the use of good fire.

Hannah is our Northern Sierra Prescribed Fire Training Coordinator. She provides access to training and supports inclusive burn opportunities in 8 counties in northeastern California.

They also support the development and growth of local Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs), where community members help each other manage the land with fire. The WRTC Fire Team also supports new and existing TREX (Prescribed Fire Training Exchange) events by providing coaching for the hosting Incident Management Team and leading training during events.

Our team hosts hands-on prescribed fire trainings, supports our partners during burns with leadership and mentorship, and travels the State with two Type 6 demonstration fire engines. 

Here are a few links to learn more about our Statewide Prescribed Fire Training Program:

Our team believes that “fire is for everyone” and that you can serve a role in bringing good fire back to the landscape, regardless of ability or experience.  Please contact Andrea at abustos@thewatershedcenter.com or José at: jose@thewatershedcenter.com  to learn more about how to get involved in your community.

Photo Credit: Chad Manley