Tackling the Wildfire Crisis: Accomplishments and Impact

Region 5 SPA

The Colt Project, a cornerstone of the Region 5 SPA, saw significant progress during FY24. With an additional 1,449 acres treated during the fiscal year, this project is both restoring habitat and helping prevent catastrophic wildfire. Work included 157 acres of brush mowing and juniper felling, 866 acres of mastication and 426 acres of timber removal. These strategies aim to decrease the amount of fuel available to wildfires, thereby slowing down their spread and reducing intensity. The project now totals an astounding 5,913 acres. Beyond treatment, this project has also provided vital timber to local mills: 59 truckloads of white fir and ponderosa pine were delivered to Roseburg Forest Products, and another truckload was sent to High Desert Lumber in Alturas, California. In total, 4,841 tons of biomass were removed and transported to Roseburg Forest Products, and the project is now complete, with the exception of final biomass hauling.

In a significant step forward, a modification to the Region 5 SPA was signed on September 9, 2024, adding a new project: the Granite Thin Project on the Stanislaus National Forest. This project encompasses 1,556 acres of timber removal, fuels reduction, road reconstruction and maintenance. The work will be funded using approximately $2.6 million in leftover funds and stumpage revenue from the Colt Project.

Region 5 SPA – Non-Timber

A new SPA, designated for projects that do not involve timber removal, was signed on September 2024. The first project under this agreement is the Klamath River Wildland Urban Interface Project, which includes: 4,000 acres of archaeology surveys, 2,000 acres of Northern Spotted Owl surveys, 34,000 acres of Northern Goshawk surveys, 5,000 acres of botany surveys and 883 acres of vegetation management.

R6 SPA & Timber Transport Pilot Project (TPP)

The Hawks Project on the Chiloquin Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest marked the beginning of the Region 6 SPA on September 29, 2023. Spanning 5,042 acres, the project focuses on restoring forest health through treatments such as timber removal, thinning and mastication. FY24 saw impressive progress, with significant work accomplished across various treatment methods.

A major accomplishment of the Hawks Project was its role in supporting the Timber Transport Pilot (TPP) program, which had its roots in the success of the Colt Project. Between October 2023 and April 2024, a total of 203 railcars of timber were transported from the Hawks project, making a significant contribution to the local economy. However, in April, the rail program concluded as Gilchrist Forest Products decided to retain all wood locally.

On September 17, 2024, a modification to the Region 6 SPA was signed, adding a disaster recovery project on the Umpqua National Forest. This project addresses 2,383 acres of roadside hazards left in the wake of the 2020, 2021 and 2024 wildfires. It will not only remove biomass to reduce wildfire risk, but it will also leave some material onsite to help with erosion protection — a key component in post-wildfire recovery.

Region 4 SPA

The Region 4 SPA was signed in August 2024 and includes the Deer Point Forest Stewardship Project. This project encompasses: 1,303 acres of commercial harvest with material removal, 225 acres of hazard tree mitigation and 3.85 miles of road reconstruction. Additional work, pending funding, includes non-commercial thinning, trail decommissioning, culvert removal and the removal of an unauthorized terrain park.

Region 2 SPA

During FY24, the Cheap Trick and Blondie projects on the Big Horn National Forest were advertised and awarded, encompassing 536 acres of treatment. Road work for these projects is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025. Additionally, the 325-acre Cottonwood Project on the White River National Forest was advertised in August 2024.

A modification to the Region 2 SPA was signed in September 2024, to include the Saguache Spruce Stewardship Project. Advertised in late September, the project represents a final effort to salvage spruce while it remains viable. By reducing fuel loads, it aims to lower the risk of catastrophic wildfire while providing critical timber volume to support local mills.

Region 1 SPA

The NWTF signed a SPA with Region 1 in August 2024, which includes projects on the Bitterroot National Forest and the Custer-Gallatin National Forest.

Bitterroot National Forest
Work on the Stevensville and Darby-Sula Ranger Districts includes botany surveys, soil surveys and boundary surveys, road reconstruction, 575 acres of commercial timber harvesting and 586 acres of non-commercial thinning.

Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Part of the South Otter Landscape Restoration and Resilience Project, this initiative on the Ashland Ranger District features over 2,700 acres of commercial treatment and road reconstruction.

NWTF Participating Agreement

To ensure continued success and capacity for the ambitious work outlined in the Master National Stewardship Agreement and Regional SPAs, the NWTF signed a Participating Agreement on March 5, 2024, funding positions that provide essential support for the implementation of these projects.

During the Forest Service FY24, the NWTF successfully filled five new positions and extended two positions under this agreement: Wildfire Crisis manager, Region 1/2 coordinator, Region 4/6 coordinator, Region 5 coordinator, Region 8 coordinator, WCS budget and agreement specialist and GIS specialist.