The Watershed Research and Training Center

The Watershed Research and Training Center The Watershed Center works to promote a healthy forest and a healthy community. Our work is based on We employ up to 45 people during our field season.
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Our work is based on investing in the capacity of our community to steward the local landscape.

06/04/2026

Hello, Hyampom! The Yellow Starthistle TREX was able to burn substantial portions of the Hyampom Airport today, expanding last year’s prescribed fire footprint significantly. We are grateful to our partners, the Hayfork and Hyampom VFDs and the Hyampom Prescribed Burn Association, for a safe and successful day.

The TREX will divide into two crews tomorrow, Thursday June 4th, to burn two separate, smaller units with members of the Trinity Integrated Fire Management Partnership. One burn will occur in Hyampom near Butter Creek, and the other burn will occur in the Hyampom Valley near the community center. Ignitions will take place and smoke will be visible between 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in the use of fire as a land management tool!

Funding for this project was provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program, the USDA US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program, and through a Regional Forest and Fire Capacity grant awarded by the California Department of Conservation.



CAL FIRE, California Climate Investments, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California Department of Conservation

The Yellow Starthistle (YST) TREX had a great day of team building and we feel ready and prepared to conduct a cooperati...
06/03/2026

The Yellow Starthistle (YST) TREX had a great day of team building and we feel ready and prepared to conduct a cooperative burn at Hyampom Airport tomorrow, Wednesday June 3rd. Burning will take place and smoke will be visible in the Hyampom valley, with ignitions taking place between 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM. The TREX will be joined by Hayfork and Hyampom VFDs, as well as the Hyampom Prescribed Burn Association (PBA)!

The TREX participants strengthened their working relationships throughout the day, learned about YST phenology, fire history in Trinity County, and practiced pump and engine operations. The team is looking forward to our first operational day tomorrow.

Funding for this project was provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program, the USDA US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program, and through a Regional Forest and Fire Capacity grant awarded by the California Department of Conservation.


CAL FIRE, California Climate Investments, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California Department of Conservation

The Watershed Research and Training Center’s Fire Management Team and partners will host a Prescribed Fire Training Exch...
05/29/2026

The Watershed Research and Training Center’s Fire Management Team and partners will host a Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) on properties in Hayfork and Hyampom June 1 - 13. Fire practitioners will conduct controlled burns when specific weather and ecological conditions are met to reduce yellow starthistle (YST) populations.

Prescribed fire has been used to reduce noxious, invasive YST populations in the Hayfork Valley since 2023, burning after the plant bolts, but before any yellow flower appears. The Fire Team has observed 95% decreases in YST within past burn sites.

We have acquired air quality permits from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District and CAL FIRE permits are in place. We will continue to communicate with forecasters at the National Weather Service and will make day-of “Go No-Go” decisions based on weather conditions, resources, external factors, and test fire results.

The WRTC Fire Team will provide daily updates via our social media channels to keep the community updated on burn operations, share information about where people might expect to see smoke, and post photos of the work performed. For more information about the training, including all media inquiries, please contact Megan Killeen at [email protected].

Funding for this project was provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program, the USDA US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program and through a Regional Forest and Fire Capacity grant awarded by the California Department of Conservation.



CAL FIRE California Climate Investments U.S. Forest Service U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest California Department of Conservation

Photos by Margarita Rivera and Laura Wisdom.

The Trinity County RCD did a marvelous job leading last Saturday’s volunteer trail workday. Twenty-three volunteers join...
05/26/2026

The Trinity County RCD did a marvelous job leading last Saturday’s volunteer trail workday. Twenty-three volunteers joined members of Trinity Trail Alliance, Redding Trail Alliance, Watershed Center staff, and Weaverville Community Forest supporters, to brush sections of McKenzie Gulch trail and beyond in preparation for the LaGrange Classic Bike Race on June 6th.

This work helps ensure racer safety and improves conditions for all trail users. Volunteers used loppers, hedge clippers, weedwhackers, and chainsaws to clear critical sections of the racecourse. Afterward, participants enjoyed cold drinks, sandwiches, and fresh fruits and vegetables!

It was a day full of partnership, service, camaraderie and good eats! If you enjoy the trails in Weaverville, consider joining the Trinity Trail Alliance or supporting the Weaverville Community Forest!

Thank you to U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest for the continued support of their staff. This project was funded in part by the Secure Rural Schools Act.

We had a wonderful time at the 3rd Annual Trintiy County Firewise Fair! Thank you to all of the partners who made this w...
05/22/2026

We had a wonderful time at the 3rd Annual Trintiy County Firewise Fair! Thank you to all of the partners who made this work possible and the 175 attendees who visited booths, explored fire vehicles, and cheered on the VFD, U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and CAL FIRE musters.

Funds were raised for Hayfork Volunteer Fire Department and community members connected with organizations to gather resources and services that help us all become more fire resilient.

Trinity County RCD, the Trinity County Fire Safe Council, and the Watershed Center are available to assist you with fire resiliency! Connect with us on any of our platforms to learn more.

We hope to see you all at the Firewise Fair next year!

April brought more melting in the mountains. The Shimmy Lake surveyors packed in snowshoes but didn’t need to use them a...
05/20/2026

April brought more melting in the mountains. The Shimmy Lake surveyors packed in snowshoes but didn’t need to use them at any point during the hike.

Here are the final snow survey results of 2026, with 2025 results in parentheses for comparison:

Bear Basin
Snow height - 0" (63")
Snow Water Equivalent - 0" (30.5")

Red Rock Mountain
Snow height - 0" (73")
SWE - 0" (35")

Shimmy Lake
Snow height - 2.5" (71")
SWE - 1" (35.5")

The Watershed Center remains committed to helping Trinity County prepare for and adapt to hotter and drier conditions through meadow restoration, water storage projects, hazardous fuel reduction, and the application of beneficial fire during favorable weather.

05/18/2026

It’s Meet the Watershed Center Monday!

Kylee Scribner, Youth Development Assistant, enjoys the warm spring weather in Weaverville Community Forest to share her joy in helping mentor and inspire the next generation of stewards.

The Watershed Center and Trinity Integrated Fire Management Partnership had a great two days of burning Monday and Tuesd...
05/15/2026

The Watershed Center and Trinity Integrated Fire Management Partnership had a great two days of burning Monday and Tuesday this past week. A strong northerly wind event moved in on Wednesday, and we postponed operations for the rest of the week.

Weather conditions permitting, we intend to burn again on Tuesday, May 19th.

The team has acquired air quality permits from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District and LE7 permits from CAL FIRE. Smoke will be visible in eastern Hyampom off Hyampom Road, with ignitions starting after 10:00 AM. We will monitor for adequate smoke dispersion throughout the duration of the burn.

Prescribed fire is a critical tool in our land management toolbox. We appreciate your support!

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program and by the USDA US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program.







CAL FIRE California Climate Investments U.S. Forest Service U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Photo Credit: Andrea Dunlap

Apply to join our Recreation Team by this Friday, May 15th! 🌲We’re hiring a Recreation Crew Lead and multiple Recreation...
05/12/2026

Apply to join our Recreation Team by this Friday, May 15th! 🌲

We’re hiring a Recreation Crew Lead and multiple Recreation Technicians. Send a resume, cover letter, and list of references to Mike Tam, Recreation Program Manager: mike [at] thewatershedcenter.com.

Visit our Careers page to view the job descriptions, fliers, and application instructions.

www.thewatershedcenter.com/careers

Address

98 Clinic Avenue
Hayfork, CA
96041

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15306284206

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