Wildfire Vegetation Management Updates for the month of October/November 2024:

Fire Inspectors Report:  

● A total of 1,002 inspections have been completed within the District.  The MWPA seasonal program completed 295 initial inspections within the Scott Valley area in Mill Valley, as well as 404 re-inspections within the Montford Ave area and 166 re-inspections in Sausalito.  SMFD inspections conducted include 25 home assessments, 5 resale inspections, and 4 citizen-reported hazard inspections.

Wildfire Vegetation Management:  

 ● MV Sheltered Fuel Break: Our efforts remain ongoing to monitor and maintain the previously established areas of this fuel break.  Fuel crews are nearing completion of our last phase of the year which consists of Fairway, Val Vista and Del Casa and Heather way.  

● Sausalito: SMFD vegetation management specialist Mead and continues efforts to work through gaining approval to complete our final phase of this project. We have successfully gained approval from NPS for treatment in the area of Hi Vista Road and Marion avenue. This work will be completed by the end of the calendar year by NPS fuel crews. We are still working toward gaining compliance in the areas spanning from Hecht, to Alexander, and Wolfback Ridge. This effort remains ongoing.

● Shoreline: The final phase of this project has been completed, which consisted of erosion control measures such as installing jute netting in areas prone to general erosion, and hydroseeding. These measures are not only focused on erosion control, but also a facet of our organic approach to forest health restoration efforts. We used a native Marin grass seed mix to promote growth and naturally keep down the invasive seed bank that has been long established on this forest floor.

● Tam/Homestead: Veg Management Specialist Mead is continuing to coordinate the next phase of maintenance for this project, which will be located along the southern boundary of our project in Tam Valley, near Waterview and Lattie Lane. We plan to propose an expanded southern section of the fuel break in the coming fiscal year to complement the northern half that has already been funded through MWPA. Additionally, we are working to obtain approval from GGNRA to complete the final phase of this project, which is adjacent to the southeast boundary of Homestead Valley. This effort is ongoing.

● Homestead Valley Land Trust: SMFD vegetation management specialist Mead, Marin County Open Space District, and Homestead Valley Land Trust have successfully completed a phase in the area of Cowboy Trail and Ridgewood paper Road to reduce invasive species which was an area of heavily overgrown and fire prone vegetation.

● Mill Valley Hazardous Tree & Vegetation Removal project: SMFD vegetation management specialist Mead and the City of Mill Valley officials have completed agreements with residents and have moved to the final phase of this project, which involves scheduling the work with contractors and completing necessary mitigation measures. Residents have been given through the winter season to complete this work. This remains ongoing.  

● Tamalpais Community Services District: VMS Mead from Southern Marin Fire and TCSD have successfully completed a collaborative effort to reduce fuels within the Marinview FireWise community adjacent to Carerra Drive. These efforts proved to be highly necessary and residents were vocal about the good work our crews performed.  

● Paved Roads:  Vegetation Management Specialist Johnson has the Paved Road Fuel Reduction crews working for Southern Marin in Zone 1 Block F on the following streets: Girard Ave, Glen Ct, Glen Dr, Johnson St, Laurel Ln, Litho St, Locust Rd, Locust St, Marie St, and Mone Mar.

● Vegetation Management Specialist Johnson has the Paved Road Fuel Reduction crews working in Mill Valley on the following streets: Edgewood Ave, Helens Ave, Heuters Ln, Molino Ave, Montford Ave, Sunrise Ln, and Wildomar St.

● SMFD performed Paved Road Fuel Reduction last month within Southern Marin in Zone 4 Block F on the following streets: El Cide Ct, Erica Rd, Friars Ln, Lattie Ln, Melaleuca Ln, Ridge View Dr, Skyline Terr, Trillium Ln, Waterview Dr, and Western Ave.

● SMFD performed Paved Road Fuel Reduction within Mill Valley on the following streets: Camino Alto Grade, Escalon Dr, Laurina Rd, and Overhill Rd.  

● The SMFD on-demand chipper has serviced a total of 12 Chipper Events in October.