This project is the culmination of several years of MFSC’s efforts to find way to mitigate the fire danger/threat to lives and property in Modoc Recreational Estates (MRE). MRE is a subdivision of 3,965 acres with 1,933 parcels surrounded by woodland and grassland open space, with an estimated population of 800-1000 or about 10% of the Modoc County population.

In 2009, MFSC was awarded grant funding from the U.S. Forest Service to thin over 10 miles of fuel breaks in MRE subdivision. The project was designed to create a 200-foot shaded fuel break, 100 feet from each side of the centerline on designated roads. This means approximately 70 feet of treat area from the edge of the roadway, on each side.

The project consisted of the removal of shrubs, brush and small trees, less than eight (8) inches in diameter (DBH) and the pruning of branches, up to a height of eight feet, on trees greater that eight inches DBH.

The work was done by hand crews supplied by CalFire using hand implements and chainsaws. Slash and other material was chipped by the MFSC contractor and spread back on site. A 14-inch Morbark Chipper was purchased for use in this project.