Funds awarded to combat climate change and reduce wildfire risk at Lake Tahoe

MEYERS, Calif. - At its meeting today, the California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) Board approved a grant of up to $240,286 to California State Parks for forest health management at Burton Creek State Park. Funds for the project come from an earlier grant to the Conservancy from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for high-priority forest health projects designed to combat climate change and reduce the risk of wildfire.

California State Parks will use the grant to conduct manual thinning, pile burning, and prescribed understory burning on 132 acres in the wildland-urban interface, in an area of the park designated by CAL FIRE as a very high fire severity zone. These actions will restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils, and minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.

“California experienced the most deadly and destructive wildfires in its history in the past few years,” said California Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot. “We have made it our highest priority to help our communities prepare and respond to the threat of wildfires. This is a great example of how our departments are working together on solutions to better prepare California.”

“This project at Burton Creek State Park will use prescribed fire for benefits to the people and the environment,” California State Parks Forester II Rich Adams said. “Continuing our efforts in prescribed fire management will reduce hazardous fuels, maintain prior investments, contribute to climate goals, restore forest health and enhance wildlife habitat.”