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South Hill Bluff Fuels Reduction Project

311 or 509.755.2489

Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 9:41 a.m.

Anticipated Start Date: October 1, 2025

Estimated Completion: December 30, 2025 (may extend into February 2026)

Work Schedule: Up to 7 days a week, depending on crew availability

Project Area: Approximately 160–200 acres

 

Please avoid all active work areas.

Dangerous machinery and chainsaws will be in operation.

Do not disturb ribbons or markers on trees—they are part of the project plan.

 

What is Wildland Fire Fuels Reduction?

Wildland fuels reduction is the process of removing excess vegetation to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health.

Key practices include:

  • Thinning conifers smaller than 8 inches in diameter.
  • Creating 12–20 foot spacing between trees.
  • Pruning remaining trees up to 10 feet high.
  • Chipping or mulching cut materials to decompose naturally.

While some areas may accumulate thicker layers of wood chips, this generally does not increase wildfire danger.

 

Forest Health & Resiliency Benefits

Beyond fire risk reduction, this project improves overall forest health:

  • More water, sunlight, and nutrients reach the remaining trees.
  • Healthier stands become more resilient to insects and disease.
  • The work recreates the natural thinning role of fire, which has been suppressed due to past fire control, forest management practices, and other human activity.

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