14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 8-14, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com In 2002, the Hayman Fire burned 133 homes and nearly 140,000 acres in Colorado, effectively deforesting the landscape. In the aftermath, what would grow in its place depended on what was left to seed, what plants were brought in by birds and other wildlife, and changing weather conditions. Twenty years later, the trees still had not returned—instead, the area was overtaken by shrublands better adapted to growing during periods of drought. As a result, the landscape shifted to a drier one, more prone to wildfires. The Hayman Fire is a case study used by the U.S. Forest Service during public meetings to explain what the Wildfire Risk Reduction Project aims to accomplish over the next 20 years: a holistic approach to assessing cover types in Los Padres National Forest and preventing high-intensity fires from transforming the landscape into one primed for more of the same in the future. The project was originally introduced in 2022 as the “Ecological Restoration Project” to reflect this ecosystems-based approach, but its scope and framing shifted since fielding input from the public. Currently, the project proposes treating 90,796 acres divided among four ranger districts, including the Monterey District. Treatments will include creating strategic fuel breaks or defense zones, as well as what they call “Forest Health Treatment Units”—reducing combustible vegetation and improving the health of remaining trees. “That’s what we’re trying to prevent—large, catastrophic fires moving through these areas that are overgrown,” says Kyle Kinports, forest planner with the USFS. A 30-day public comment period on the draft plan opened on May 2. To kick it off, the USFS hosted four meetings, including at Big Sur Lodge. Attendees voiced concerns about the cost of implementing and maintaining fuel breaks and forest health, and whether the project was tied to an executive order to expedite timber production in national forest areas. Kinports chuckles at the suggestion. “We’re not a timber forest. We don’t have the right growing conditions and there’s no industry nearby. The stuff that we cut we’ll make available as firewood to local communities, local people. That’s really about it.” Given that the Monterey portion of the project is almost entirely designated wilderness, treatment options are limited. As a result, the draft currently focuses on fuel breaks located on the periphery of the district, near community areas and infrastructure. Kinports says the cost depends on variables including where in the forest they’ll be working, how much of the crew and equipment will be internal versus contracted out, and the type of treatment, which can range from chipping to hand thinning to mastication and more. Funding remains uncertain and will be a key factor in determining where implementation begins. Pending final approval, the project is slated to begin in November. To view the draft and provide comments, visit fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres. Padres Plan U.S. Forest Service proposes a wildfire risk reduction project in Los Padres, including Big Sur. By Katie Rodriguez The draft plan addresses areas in four ranger districts of Los Padres National Forest, including the Monterey District (above) and to the south, the Santa Lucia, Mt. Pinos and Santa Barbara districts. NEWS “We’re trying to prevent large fires moving through these areas.” USFS to seniors and their families AD DEADLINE May 12 REACH OUT Living Well 2024-2025 BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® BILINGUAL GUIDE AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE GUIDE GUÍA DE RECURSOS SOBRE ENVEJECIMIENTO Y DISCAPACIDAD Published by AREA AGENCY ON AGING FREE | GRATIS cover_LW24.indd 1 5/22/24 2:55 PM AREA AGENCY ON AGING FOR MORE INFO: 831-394-5656 sales@montereycountynow.com Living Well BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® Monterey County Weekly in partnership with the Monterey County Area Agency on Aging will publish a directory of local professionals who provide services to seniors, people with disabilities and family caregivers. Living Well: Aging and Disability Resource Guide highlights agencies and companies in many fields including healthcare, housing, financial services and education. THE CITY OF MONTEREY FOR MORE INFO + REGISTRATION MONTEREY.GOV/REC BEST SUMMER EVER! 2025 CAMP QUIEN SABE OVERNIGHT CAMP WHISPERING PINES DAY CAMP TINY TOTS SUMMER CAMP SUMMER FUN PLAYGROUND PROGRAM SPORTS CAMPS SPECIALTY CAMPS LEGO, GYMNASTICS AND SO MUCH MORE! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! SCAN ME! to register on Amilia
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