National Fire Plan Success Story
Rocky Point Fuels Reduction Project Success
Fremont-Winema National Forests, Klamath Ranger District, Klamath Falls, Oregon
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
2009
Much of the pre-commercial thinning, brush cutting, chipping and hand piling was done by local small business contractors.
The Rocky Point Community Fuels Reduction Project was a five-year project that reduced hazardous fuels on approximately 1,300 acres within and adjacent to the wildland urban interface (WUI) around the community of Rocky Point, Oregon. As a result, these areas have moved toward a forest that more closely resembles a historic fire resilient ecosystem. The Klamath Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forests completed the Rocky Point Project with implementation by local small business contractors, and additional participation by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“I want to thank the residence of Rocky Point for their support, resiliency, and patience during prescribed burning operations,” said Deb Shepherd, Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Klamath Ranger District. “I’m also very proud of the work done by our employees, agencies and local contractors.”
Much of the pre-commercial thinning, brush cutting, chipping and hand piling was done by local small business contractors. The project was funded with a combination of U.S. Forest Service National Fire Plan and Secure Rural Schools Act’s Title II dollars.
“We are thoroughly pleased with the way it is looking around here,” said Loren Head, Rocky Point Fire Chief. “Because of all the good that comes from this kind of work, to considerably reducing the fuel load, there is an ease in the minds of our community. The end result is beautiful.”
Contact: Ed Guzman, Interagency Fire Management Officer, Fremont-Winema National Forests eguzman@fs.fed.us or at (541) 947-6264.