Arnold, CA…The Stanislaus National Forest, Calaveras Ranger District, is beginning the Arnold-Avery Healthy Forest Fuels Reduction Project under a shared stewardship agreement with the Mule Deer Foundation. The 800-acre project borders the communities of Arnold and Avery, located within the wildland-urban interface, or WUI, and includes heavily used sections of the Arnold Rim Trail. The project will use fuel reduction treatments, including mastication and hazardous tree abatement and will continue into next year. Click below for full sized map of the Arnold-Avery project.

While the project is underway, the community may be inconvenienced at times, since some trails will need to be temporarily closed for safety. Primary use trails will close when equipment is in the area that can throw flying debris, usually for a week or so. “We ask the public to stay away from any equipment operating close to trails and roads. We will post signs and other devices to warn the public when hazardous conditions are present,” Mule Deer Foundation stewardship coordinator Kevin Zeman said.

The Mule Deer Foundation will also have volunteers on-site to help ensure public safety, Zeman said. Around primary use trail areas, the contractor will operate only on weekdays, although in some more remote areas the contractor may work weekends. “Our goal is to remove as much hazardous fuel as possible before the next fire season is upon us. We appreciate the community’s patience and support,” he added.

This project is fully funded by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Pacific Gas and Electric. “We are very glad to begin implementing the Arnold Avery Healthy Forest project on the forest,” said Ray Cablayan, Calaveras District Ranger. “It will help protect Calaveras communities within the WUI with much needed fuel reduction. It is another excellent example of how the forest is working with its partners to protect our communities and the forest from future wildfires.”

Community members are asked to contact Calaveras Public Service Staff Officer Casey Jardine at casey.jardine@usda.gov if they have questions or concerns.

For general information about the Stanislaus National Forest, please visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus/.

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Source = USFS