This article was written by Sarah Reith on behalf of the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council. The Mendocino Voice retains editorial oversight.
MENDOCINO CO., 11/14/25 — Back in 2022, Cal Fire awarded $3.8 million to Mendocino Redwood Company to thin about 1000 acres of forest above Low Gap Road west of Ukiah. That work has largely consisted of thinning understory and selectively harvesting overstory.
Now the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council is working with Mendocino Redwood to extend that fuel break to the west of Ukiah’s western hills.
Standing on the fuel break at the top of the ridge in early July, Cal Fire Deputy Chief Ryan Smith explained how the project enhances safety for residents. “It gives us a place where we can put resources and make a stand against a fire either generated on the coast side, coming towards Ukiah, or vice-versa, coming from the city towards all the timberlands and communities to the west of us here on the coast,” he said.
Hayley Ross, a stewardship manager with the lumber company, described the project as providing “a toehold for future firefighting.” The project extends all the way from the Mendocino Redwood property on Low Gap Road to Orr Springs Road, creating access and egress by reducing fuels on either side of the road.
Now Mendocino Redwood Company is sharing $300,000 of its grant with the council.
The council and its partner organizations have been working to secure permissions from smaller landowners to add on to the fuel break. In 2023, the council worked with the California Conservation Corps to treat 38.5 acres along Pine Ridge Road, tying into Low Gap Road. This will ensure a viable escape route for residents, as well as a clear way in for firefighters backing up Ukiah’s western hills. The council plans to extend that work by 30 acres.
The County of Mendocino allocated funding from another Cal Fire grant to thin an additional 35.6 acres along Low Gap Road near Ukiah. The remainder of the county’s allocation, along with funds from Mendocino Redwood, allows the council to treat another 56 acres. Overall, the projects created a connected north–south and east–west fuel break protecting the northwest approach to Ukiah.
Landowners can help prevent wildfire spread
Prescribed burns are also part of the project’s fuel-management plan, though Smith noted that the window for burning is narrow. “There are a lot of challenges,” he said. “That’s why there’s a broad-stroke approach to fuels reduction across the state, including thinning, chipping and burning. It all breaks up the continuity of fuels, making it harder for fire to spread if it does start.”
Smith urged owners of properties of all sizes to consider a variety of fuels-management strategies on their land.
“We’re trying to diversify as much as possible,” he said, “and encourage people to do clearing and burns on their own property. I know that’s scary for a lot of people, but it’s definitely something people can reach out to us or to the Fire Safe Council for advice and mentorship on how to do it safely.”
“We even welcome people to come out and view some of our burns so they can learn and gain confidence to do some of it themselves,” he added. “The reality is that for the acreage we need to treat, we need people to contribute and do a lot of it on their own properties as well.”For more information about how to participate in fire-resilience projects, including shaded fuel breaks and prescribed burns, visit firesafemendocino.org.