Wildfire Hazard Reduction Project Planned In San Rafael, San Anselmo

SAN ANSELMO, CA — Several Marin County agencies will host a public meeting Wednesday to discuss plans to reduce wildfire hazards along the borders of San Rafael and San Anselmo.

The San Rafael - San Anselmo Fuel Reduction Zone is a collaborative project that includes San Rafael Fire, Central Marin Fire, Ross Valley Fire, and Marin County Parks. Envisioned as a multi-year effort to be accomplished in phases, it is designed to address declining forest health, increased tree mortality, heavy biomass, and high tree density to cut down on fire risks.

The project would involve thinning non-native eucalyptus trees and other hazards that could make easy fuel for fires, particularly after several years of drought-related stress.

"Treatments would focus primarily on the removal of invasive and non-native, fire hazardous vegetation, comprised of smaller eucalyptus trees, typically 10 inches diameter breast height (dbh) or less," officials wrote in a document shared online. "The project would also remove non-native understory (e.g., broom, Himalayan blackberry) and other fire-hazardous understory vegetation."

The tree thinning would take place largely on lands owned by the Marin County Open Space District, Tamalpais Cemetery, Cedars of Marin, and the town of San Anselmo. Initial removals could begin by late this year, with more treatments annually between July and January.

Officials said the project would also seek to restore native habitat by "retaining a mosaic of retained oak, grassland, and other common native tree and shrub species."

Residents can learn more during a virtual meeting Thursday night and take part in a public site visit later this month.

Here are the details for the meeting:

• Date: Aug. 16, 2023
• Time: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Virtual, via Zoom.
• Learn more about the meeting and find answers to frequently asked questions online.