Nevada City, CA – The Yuba Watershed Institute (YWI) invites residents of Nevada County, particularly those in the Banner Mountain area, to take note of the significant progress being made on fuel reduction efforts along Gracie Road. Since last fall, five contracted crews have been working—weather permitting—to remove small trees and brush.
“Driving along Gracie Road from Nevada City to Banner Lava Cap, residents can see firsthand the extensive work that has already been completed,” said Chris Friedel, Executive Director of the YWI. “Approximately 116 acres have been treated, including areas immediately adjacent to the road, behind residences, within the Nevada County Sportsmen Club’s archery range, and around Nevada City’s water treatment plant and reservoir. In addition, pile burning has taken place on about 48 acres farther along the Cascade Canal Trail. Given this winter’s heavy rainfall, which briefly delayed some work, we’re very pleased with the progress.”
Funded by an $823,500 grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s Wildfire Recovery and Forest Resilience Grant Program, this project is a collaboration between the YWI, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Sierra Streams Institute, and Bear Yuba Land Trust. The initiative employs a variety of treatments—including hand thinning, mechanical thinning, chipping, and pile burning—to reduce hazardous fuels and protect critical infrastructure and natural resources, such as the Cascade Canal, DS Canal, Nevada City’s water treatment facilities, and popular recreational trails.
While the majority of the work is complete, approximately 30 acres still require treatment. “We paused operations at the end of February as we enter the wildlife nesting season, but we’ll resume in the fall to complete the remaining work by the end of the year,” Friedel noted. “We’re also proud to have partnered with local contractors for this project, including Acton Arboriculture, First Rain Land Stewardship, Black Dog Enterprises, Jensen’s Tree Care, GP Development and Land Clearing, and TÜV SÜD Forestry Consulting.”
The Banner Mountain Firewise Community has also welcomed the project’s progress. “We are very happy with the results so far,” said Jeff Peach, coordinator of the Banner Mountain Firewise Community. “One of our top priorities is ensuring safe evacuation routes off Banner Mountain, and Gracie Road is one of the primary exits. This project has significantly improved evacuation safety by reducing vegetation immediately adjacent to the road. Thanks to Yuba Watershed Institute and partners, this route is becoming safer.”
Erin Tarr, Executive Director of Bear Yuba Land Trust, also praised the work completed as part of this project. “We are thrilled to see the progress made on our Woodpecker Wildlife Preserve and Little Deer Preserve, as well as the adjacent BLM lands. These efforts not only reduce fire risk in a heavily populated area, but also improve the overall health of the forest and enhance the experience for those who explore these protected lands along the Cascade Canal and Orene Wetherall Trails. The collaboration between local organizations and land managers is a great example of how we can build a more resilient landscape together.”
The Little Deer Creek Landscape Resilience Project plays a vital role in protecting the community from the increasing threat of wildfires. By reducing forest density and removing excess fuels, the project lowers the risk of catastrophic fires in the densely populated Banner Mountain area. It also safeguards key water infrastructure, recreational spaces, and wildlife habitats—helping ensure a safer, more resilient future for local residents and visitors.
For more information about the Little Deer Creek Landscape Resilience Project, visit yubawatershedinstitute.org.