• In September of 2022, Oak to Timberline received approval for a grant of up to $860,250 from CalFire to create a 45 square mile shaded fuel break, known as the Pinehurst/Miramonte Ingress/Egress Fuel Break (PMIE). The project directly ties into two shaded fuel breaks now in progress and will create roadside fuel breaks to improve ingress/egress. The fuel breaks will diminish the intensity and slow the spread of a wildfire’s progress and reduce the risk of human-caused roadside ignition of wildfires. The project Influence Zone covers about 45 square miles. The project has roughly 1,000 residents and 600 habitable and community structures. The project will run from September 2022 through March of 2026.

• The PMIE Fuel Break will run for 30 feet along either side of the road (see attached map).

• A shaded fuel break is exactly that: shaded. Removed brush is generally chipped or masticated into the soil to speed decay into mulch, which improves soil, water retention, and general forest health, and trees are left to provide shade.

• Oak to Timberline will contract with Licensed Timber Operators (LTO) to perform the work. On private lands, they will be prepared to thin and remove, masticate, or chip brush; fell small trees, and limb up larger trees to prevent fuel spread into the canopy. On Federal Land, hand crews with chainsaws will thin brush, remove small trees, and pile debris for later burning.

• OTFSC will also contract with a Registered Forest Professional (RPF) who will complete an environmental study to meet the mandated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements.

• Landowners are now individually giving their consent to making this project a reality. As work begins, your questions and concerns are vital to the success of the project.