The Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break Project (GNSFB) includes a fuel reduction and forest health zone within 200 to 300 feet from the edge of structures adjacent to the wildland-urban interface and heavily vegetated areas with a history or potential of ignition.
The spread of exotic, invasive fire hazardous vegetation, and decades of dead vegetation accumulation resulting from fire suppression, drought, and sudden oak death has created significant wildfire hazards adjacent to the City of Novato and adjacent unincorporated areas. To mitigate these hazards in a manner that restores forest health and enhances native, fire resilient plant communities, a comprehensive plan and environmental compliance is in progress for a future multi-year mitigation effort.
This project is funded by Measure C (Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority), Measure A (Marin County Parks) and a generous grant through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) Wildfire Prevention Grant Program.
Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 10-16-24)
Project Update Summer/Fall 2026:
Project work continued in Indian Valley, South Novato, Bahia, and Rush Creek.
Invasive plant and dead woody debris removal continued in the Hamilton Marsh, with over 80 tons of debris removed during the 12 weeks of work spanning May through October. Within Phase 1 project areas, 720 eucalyptus stems under 10" DBH were cut along a pedestrian bike path in South Novato. Over 250 piles were built in the Country Club neighborhood on private and Marin County Open Space properties, with plans to burn the piles as early as mid-November, depending on weather. Staff will also prepare project areas for winter precipitation as needed.
Project Update Winter 2025 into Spring 2026:
Novato Fire will continue invasive plant management with contractor crews removing dense broom stands located behind homes. Invasive plant management will be conducted in Phase 1 areas for annual retreatments and Phase 2 areas for initial treatments.
Project Update Summer/Fall 2025:
The 2025 field season has been busy. In addition to using chipper trucks to remove woody debris in areas off Atherton and Olive Avenues, crews expanded on the already treated areas in Verissimo Hills and Black Point/Green Point. Over 500 burn piles were also built in the Country Club and Indian Valley neighborhood, in collaboration with Marin County Parks. Controlled burning of the piles will be conducted in mid-November to early December with Marin County Fire Dept.
Maintenance was completed in Marin Highlands, South Novato Blvd, and Wild Horse Valley neighborhoods. These areas are included in Phase 1 and were originally treated during the summer/fall of 2023.
Public Field Trip: Thank you to those who joined us for a public site visit to see work underway on the GNSFB on October 22, 2024. This site visit took place at the end of Fairway Drive in Novato at the Buck Gulch Falls Trailhead (Google Maps).
Project Update, August 2024: Please see THIS FIGURE to see where crews are working during summer and fall of 2024.
Project Update, August 2023: The portions of the project area implemented as part of Phase 1 (August 2023 through 2024) are displayed in the Phase 1 Map. Phases 1 and 2 are displayed in the Phases 1 and 2 Map.
The CEQA document (Project Specific Analysis and Addendum under the California Vegetation Treatment Program PEIR) for this project is available using the link at the bottom of this page.
Would you like to learn more about how vegetation management helps reduce risk?
CLICK HERE to see recent case studies from CAL FIRE describing the role of vegetation management projects in recent fire suppression efforts.
CLICK HERE for a short video explaining how vegetation management alters wildfire behavior.
CLICK HERE for more resources on the science behind this work.
PUBLIC FIELD TRIPS
NEW: Join us for a site visit to see work underway on the GNSFB!
- Date: October 22, 2024
- Time: 10-11am
- Meeting location: end of Fairway Drive in Novato at the Buck Gulch Falls Trailhead (Google Maps).
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
- RSVP to acrealock@marinwildfire.org
October 26, 2023: Thank you to all who joined MWPA, Novato Fire Protection District, and the ESP Partnership on October 26, 2023 for a site visit to see fire fuel reduction work for the Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break Project. This project is currently in Phase 1 of implementation by Novato FPD. Stay tuned for future opportunities to visit this and other MWPA-funded projects.
Public Workshop 2 Materials (5/24/23)
MWPA and Novato Fire Protection District held a hybrid public workshop May 24, 2023 6-8pm at the Hamilton Community Center in Novato. A Public Meeting Announcement was mailed to all residents within 300 feet of the project area ahead of time (approx. 5,200 addresses). Meeting materials, including a video of the presentation, are linked below.
Public Workshop 1 Materials (11/9/2022)
MWPA and Novato Fire Protection District held a virtual public workshop Wed, November 9, 2022 6-8pm. A Public Meeting Announcement was mailed to all residents within 300 ft of the project area ahead of time (approx. 5,200 addresses). Meeting materials, including videos, are linked below.
Main Presentation:
Room 1: Environmental Review
Video - Room 1 (Session 1) and Slides - Room 1
Video - Room 1 (Session 2) *Session 1 and 2 are the same presentation for different attendees
Room 2: Hazard Modelling & Fuel Break Design
Photos- Examples of Similar Work
GNSFB Overall Proposed Project Mapbook
FAQ Document - Updated October 2024
To view the project area spatially, click on this link: GNSFB Google Earth File then click download. This file is viewable using Google Earth and allows the user to navigate and zoom into different parts of the project area. Go to google.com/earth or install Google Earth and use these instructions.
Note: the Overview KMZ shows the shaded fuel break as 300 feet wide, although typically fuel and forest health restoration treatments would occur within a 200-foot-wide zone.
