Sonora Union High School Wildcat Ranch Hazardous Fuel Reduction

Sonora Union High School Wildcat Ranch Hazardous Fuel Reduction

Wildcat Ranch, an extension of the Sonora Union High School District, is a multi-purpose outdoor learning center for all the local schools and is run by Sonora High School students and faculty. The project goal is to reduce existing fuel loads to create and maintain a safer fuel level providing greater defensible space, improving on site vegetation health conditions, aesthetics and protecting the ranch and its resources in the event of wildfire. The project is located on a 137 acre parcel, treatment being scheduled on 110 acres. Vegetation is represented by oak woodland intermingled with conifers, moderate to patchy thick understory and grassland. Cumulated fuel will be thinned and spaced, priority being given along existing trails used for outdoor and recreation. Dead, dying and diseased trees shall be removed, tree, tree pruning shall be performed as needed. Snags and damaged trees shall be removed if deemed a hazard by a Registered Professional Forester. No healthy trees bigger than 12 inch DBH shall be removed. Crews will cut by hand the targeted material and pile it on site in areas designated by a Registered Professional Forester. Burning of created piles will be performed on permissive burn days as determined by the local air district when weather and fuel conditions allow for safe burning. These types of activities will provide greater defensible space, improve existing vegetation health conditions, create safe recreational conditions, improve ranch aesthetics and protect the ranch and its resources in the event of wildfire. This is an ongoing project. This fuel treatment will be periodically maintained so it remains effective over time. No mechanical treatment, treatment of grass or any herbaceous perennials is planned. No new roads are to be constructed. No commercial operations are planned.

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