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National Fire Plan Success Story

Star Ranch Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Boise National Forest, Idaho
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction

The Star Ranch Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, located near Placerville, Idaho, on the Boise National Forest, is predominately filled with thick stands of low elevation pine and Douglas fir, generated largely due to the lack of fire as a disturbance regime. The project, which meets the goals of the Boise County Wildland Fire Mitigation Plan, is designed to reduce hazardous fuels by commercial and precommercial thinning. The objective is to alter the stand structure through both mechanical and prescribed fire to reduce horizontal and vertical fuel continuity. This is the second year the project has been recommended by the Idaho State Working Group.

In Fiscal Year 2006, 433 acres were treated. Another 1,365 acres are planned for treatment in Fiscal Year 2007. This stewardship project incorporates biomass utilization of the small diameter material. The material is being sold to make wood pellets and also for fuel at a cogeneration plant in nearby Emmett, Idaho. A unique aspect is the use of a purchaser who adapted his logging business after receiving a grant to enhance his capability to recover and market biomass. The Star Ranch Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) Environmental Analysis was a collaborative process that incorporated several town meetings and coordination with the subdivision.

From these efforts, the Star Ranch subdivision received an $85,000 Stevens Grant from the Idaho Department of Lands. These funds are available to treat hazardous fuels on private land, which enhances a project objective to reduce WUI vulnerability. The project plan in FY 2007 is to treat 1365 acres through 1000 acres by prescribed fire; 115 acres by precommercial thinning and biomass utilization; 150 acres by brush mastication; and 100 acres through thinning and hand piling. All work is planned for completion by September 2007.

Contact: Jason Butler
Phone: 208-392-3721
E-mail: jcbutler@fs.fed.us