Briceland Volunteer Fire Department

06/11/2026

https://bricelandfire.org/2026/06/10/huestis-rock-prescribed-burn/

The Briceland Volunteer Fire Department, in partnership with the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (RCD), the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association (HCPBA), CAL FIRE, participating landowners, and community partners, is planning the Huestis Rock Prescribed Burn, a 170-acre prescribed fire grass rangeland project located on Mail Ridge near Dyerville Loop Road.

Burn operations are tentatively scheduled for June 12–14, 2026, pending favorable weather conditions, fuel moisture, staffing availability, and regulatory approval. Exact ignition dates and operational periods will be determined based on conditions that support safe and effective burning.

The prescribed burn is designed to improve rangeland health by targeting invasive species such as Barbed Goatgrass and Medusahead grass, increasing wildfire resilience and supporting long-term stewardship objectives on private lands. By strategically applying low-intensity fire under carefully monitored conditions, project partners aim to reduce the risk of future high-severity wildfires while promoting healthy ecosystem function.

Residents in the area may observe smoke, fire personnel, equipment, and temporary increases in traffic during burn operations. Smoke impacts are expected to be short-term and will be monitored throughout the project. Every effort will be made to minimize impacts to nearby communities while achieving project objectives.

Prescribed burning is conducted under strict safety protocols and coordinated among trained fire personnel, landowners, and partner organizations. Operations will only proceed when weather and site conditions meet established prescription parameters.

The Huestis Rock Burn represents a collaborative effort among local fire agencies, landowners, and community organizations working together to restore the beneficial role of fire on the landscape and improve wildfire preparedness throughout Southern Humboldt. Funding for this has been provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Forest Health Program, through the North Coast Resource Partnership, as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: http://www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov

More information about the Huestis project can be found at: https://humboldtrcd.org/projects/wildfire-resiliency-planning-for-mail-ridge/

https://www.northcoastresourcepartnershipprojects.org/Project/Detail/17696



https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/grants/forest-health

https://humboldtrcd.org

Humboldt County Fire Safe Council
https://humboldtgov.org/FireSafeCouncil

Trees Foundation
https://treesfoundation.org

06/11/2026

Another great article by Redheaded Blackbelt. Thank you Kym Kemp!

From a Native Village Site to the Fireline: Southern Humboldt's Wildland Readiness Drill Builds Skills, Community and a Future for this Rural Area

"The first big fire our people see should not be coming over the hill into Shelter Cove," Jack Hargrave of Shelter Cove Fire said. "A two-week assignment on a strike team can bring in about a half a million dollars to the local area."

👉 Read more on Redheaded Blackbelt.

06/09/2026

https://bricelandfire.org/2026/06/08/southern-humboldt-comes-together-for-wrd/

To everyone who attended, instructed, supported, and helped make the 2026 Wildland Readiness Drill possible—thank you!!

Seeing volunteers from across our region come together to train, learn, and support one another was a powerful reminder of what makes the Southern Humboldt fire service so special. The dedication, professionalism, and teamwork displayed throughout the day reflect the commitment each of you brings to protecting our communities. This event has always been about more than annual refresher training. It’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and ensuring that when our communities need us most, we are ready to respond together.

This event represents years of collaboration among volunteer fire departments, regional partners and organizations that share a common goal: improving wildfire preparedness and building a more resilient region. The level of engagement, enthusiasm, and professionalism displayed by all attendees reflects the strength of the Southern Humboldt fire service and our collective commitment to protecting our communities.

Over 200 participants took part in the Wildland Readiness Drill this year, including students completing the Southern Humboldt Wildland Fire Academy, support personnel, instructors, members of CalFire HUU, the Kneeland Helitack crew aboard Copter 604, and the REACH Air Medical helicopter team.

Participants engaged in a full day of hands-on training emphasizing firefighter safety, operational decision-making, coordinated field operations, and standardized wildland firefighting practices. Training activities included progressive hoselay operations, handline construction, equipment and hardware familiarization, fire shelter deployment, and air operations. The event also showcased new Type 6 fire engines delivered through California 2nd district Senator McGuire’s Type 6 Engine Project with additional engines funded through Humboldt Co. Measure Z.

After many years of being hosted by Briceland VFD, it is projected that Southern Humboldt Fire & Rescue, a newly formed Joint Powers Alliance made up of 13 Southern Humboldt fire departments will become the official host of this annual event after this year.

On behalf of Briceland Volunteer Fire Department, thank you for your time, hard work, and continued commitment to firefighter safety and regional cooperation. We are grateful for every participant, instructor, partner agency, and supporter who helped make this year’s drill a success.

Special thanks to the Southern Humboldt Community Park for hosting us, to CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit, Reach Air Medical Services, the Mattole Restoration Council and support from local representatives from the offices of Mike McGuire, County Supervisor Michelle Bushnell and the Southern Humboldt Business and Visitor’s Bureau. And for funding provided through Humboldt County Measure Z Public Safety/Essential Services, the California State Coastal Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Program, and Redwood Region RISE California Jobs First funding, supporting firefighter training, emergency response capacity, workforce development, and regional wildfire resilience.

Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department Southern Humboldt County Technical Rescue Team Telegraph Ridge Volunteer Fire Redway Fire Protection District Shelter Cove Fire Department Southern Humboldt Fire Chiefs Association Whitethorn Fire Safe Council Honeydew Volunteer Fire Company Myers Flat Volunteer Fire Department Friends of Garberville Fire Protection District Palo Verde Volunteer Fire Department Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association Miranda Fire Department Native Health in Native Hands

Seeing volunteers from across our region come together to train, learn, and support one another was a powerful reminder of what makes the Southern Humboldt fire service so special. The dedication, professionalism, and teamwork displayed throughout the day reflect the commitment each of you brings to...

06/04/2026

The first weekend of the the Southern Humboldt Wildland Academy is in the books with another exciting one coming right up! Thank you to all the dedicated participants, especially the instructors from neighboring departments who came to share their skills.

This is a comprehensive, hands-on training program that will give the basic skills to entry level firefighters and will conclude with the June 7th Annual Wildland Readiness Drill in Garberville, where trainees will be joining 100+ experienced firefighters on an extensive day of coordinated, multi-agency field operations, and can emerge as certified Wildland Fire Fighters (FFT2), a nationally recognized qualification.

This Academy is designed to help prepare volunteer firefighters for the upcoming fire season, support the development of recognized certifications, and expand local resources available to assist partner agencies such as Cal OES and CAL FIRE during large-scale incidents—both within Humboldt County and across the state.

Briceland VFD originally organized this training to advance the skills and qualifications of our own members and later expanded to host volunteers from neighboring departments. With the increased coordination of southern Humboldt fire departments, the Wildland Academy has become an integrated part of regional firefighter training. This cooperation has helped to give rise to the recent formation of Southern Humboldt Fire & Rescue (SHFR), an official Joint Powers Alliance of thirteen volunteer fire departments serving Southern Humboldt. In 2027 it is projected that SHFR will become the official host of this event.

Funding for these trainings is provided in part by the California State Coastal Conservancy's Wildfire Resilience Program, and administered by the Restoration Council.

05/18/2026

This year's Academy is already fully booked! Next year, Southern Humboldt Fire and Rescue is projected to be the host of this event.

05/10/2026

Message from Kneeland VFD that rings true for most of rural America’s volunteer fire departments;

https://www.times-standard.com/2026/05/07/my-word-volunteer-firefighters-are-the-cornerstone-or-rural-emergency-response

“Everyone is busy, no one has extra time; yet there are those who find the time to respond when someone nearby calls for help. “

05/08/2026

Thanks again to pilot extraordinaire Ben Wilke for helping transport our crew so we could pick up an addition to our fire apparatus! This type 3 wildland engine will soon be in service for Briceland VFD for local fire and emergency response, as well to support prescribed burn projects in the area.

Thank you also to the US Forest Service for facilitating the use of this engine through their FEPP (Federal Excess Property Program) and to Georgetown Fire in the Sierra foothills of El Dorado Co. for lovingly caring for the engine before passing it on to us.

02/15/2026

Beginning March 3, the National Weather Service in Eureka will expand its fire weather zones from 10 to 21 to provide more precise Red Flag Warnings and fire-weather forecasts.

Tap the image. Full reporting is in comments.

02/15/2026

All are welcome to attend our Open House at the Tim Olsen Memorial Fire Station at 6155 Briceland Thorne Rd in ‘downtown’ Briceland from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on February 21, 2026.

Community members are invited to tour the facilities, meet department personnel, and enjoy food and refreshments as we celebrate this important milestone.

https://bricelandfire.org/2026/02/14/open-house-feb-21st-2026/

12/29/2025

https://bricelandfire.org/2025/12/27/task-force-2075-responds-to-christmas-storms/

Following severe weather warnings for high winds and flooding, Briceland Fire joined local first responders for a Cal OES activation to help keep our communities safe and roadways open during the storm. Beginning on Christmas Eve, while multiple rounds of strong winds and heavy rain impacted the North Coast, five staffed engines assigned to Task Force 2075 were out in the field, clearing fallen trees from roadways and addressing hazards such as downed power lines.

Task Force 2075 brought together firefighters and engines from Myers Flat Volunteer Fire Department, Salmon Creek Fire Protection District, Miranda Fire Department, Redway Fire Protection District, Palo Verde Volunteer Fire Department, Briceland, and Shelter Cove Fire Department. Working together, crews responded to 23 calls for service, most involving trees blocking roads or tangled in power lines, helping restore access and reduce hazards during this holiday storm.

What to do if you find a downed power line

* Stay at least 30 feet away from the line AND anything it’s touching
* Call 911 to report the hazard, then call your utility company
* Always assume it’s live and dangerous!
* Avoid water and metal objects nearby
* Do NOT drive over or near the downed wire
* Warn others to stay away from the area

PG&E can be contacted at 1-800-743-5000

https://www.pge.com/en/newsroom/safety-action-center/safety-resources/never-touch-a-downed-power-line.html