The Plumas County Fire Safe Council reports that, as grant funding becomes more limited statewide and federally, three local wildfire mitigation programs are experiencing a funding gap: the Countywide Chipping Program, the Senior Disabled Defensible Space Assistance Program and the Plumas Underburn Cooperative.
Over the past three years, these programs were funded by a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection wildfire prevention grant, which has come to an end. “We are grateful for the impact this funding had in driving PCFSC wildfire risk reduction efforts across Plumas County,” said the council.
Despite actively pursuing funding throughout 2025, PCFSC has not yet secured sufficient funding to operate the three programs in 2026. As a result, spring programming will not occur unless additional funding becomes available. Organizers promise that updates will be shared as funding sources are confirmed.
In the meantime, PCFSC said it remains committed to supporting wildfire preparedness efforts and encourages residents to continue defensible space and vegetation management work during the winter months when conditions allow.
Winter fuel reduction
“When you can’t chip — burn,” said chipping program manager Darrell Webster.
Winter is burn season in many areas of Plumas County and an ideal time to shift fuel reduction efforts toward material disposal, said Webster. With the chipping program being reduced, or possibly unavailable, in 2026, residents can focus on cutting, consolidating and staging woody debris for safe pile burning when conditions allow.
“Winter weather provides good opportunities to build piles that meet local guidelines,” said Webster. “When permitted and safe to do so, properly constructed piles can often be burned on site, reducing the need to store slash through spring.”
Using the winter months to cut, stack and burn material helps spread the workload over the year and ensures properties are better prepared well before fire season arrives, said Webster: “Consistent off-season fuel disposal plays a critical role in reducing wildfire risk across the county.”
Webster can be reached at [email protected].
Defensible space signups continue
While programs navigate changes in access and timing, the defensible space program will continue to accept signups to support future participation, said program manager Tommy Brenzovich. “Winter remains an important window for property preparation, and strong interest in the program reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to wildfire readiness,” he said.
As winter settles in, most leaves should now be on the ground. Brenzovich suggests taking advantage of clear, dry weather windows to stay on top of defensible space work.
Winter is also an excellent time for tree pruning, especially for deciduous species. Brenzovich points out that maintaining at least 10 feet of clearance between tree branches and a home can significantly reduce fire risk. Tackling small projects during mild winter days can save time and effort later, when spring arrives and fire season can approach quickly.
Brenzovich said staff will also be making the most of favorable winter weather by conducting site visits in preparation for this year’s operations. “When conditions allow, we will reach out to applicants to schedule visits,” he said. “These may occur with short notice, as we work around weather conditions, so patience and flexibility are greatly appreciated.”
Brenzovich can be reached at [email protected].
PUC accomplishments
Between November and December 2025, Plumas Underburn Cooperative was able to implement burning on five different properties:
- Two pile burn days in the Red Dirt Road area near Johnsville
- One pile burn and PUC monthly meeting in Butterfly Valley near Quincy/Twain
- Two broadcast burn days in Valley Ranch near Clio
“We had a great year of burning and outreach,” said PUC program manager Logan Krahenbuhl. Dedicated volunteers and cooperating organizations donated over 3,500 hours to PUC in 2025.
Those interested in participating in 2026 meetings or receiving updates are invited to subscribe to the PUC newsletter by contacting Krahenbuhl at [email protected].
Community support
While grants fund PCFSC programs, community support helps sustain this work, said the council. Public donations support ongoing fire mitigation efforts and help PCFSC remain ready to relaunch programs when funding becomes available. Donation funds can be used as grant match — showing local contribution to a project — when applying for grants.
PCFSC hopes that the funding gap is not permanent. Staff will continue to pursue grant funding for the council’s community programs, and services will resume when grants are awarded. Residents are welcome to contact the Plumas County Fire Safe Council for clarification, assistance or program updates.
The Plumas County Fire Safe Council is a grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit community organization entirely funded through grant awards and donations from the community. The council is committed to empowering residents with the knowledge and tools to protect their homes and communities from wildfires, creating a safer, more resilient community.
