Vegetation Management

The Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break (GRVSFB) is a 38-mile shaded fuel break running along the edges of about 1,700 parcels. The fuel reduction zone includes about 1,800 acres in unincorporated Marin County, the City of Larkspur, City of Mill Valley, Town of Fairfax, Town of Ross, Town of Corte Madera, Town of San Anselmo, and Kentfield. The project is designed to slow the spread of wildfire to give firefighters time and space to suppress the flames. This project would reduce fire risk to several communities in the wildland urban interface (otherwise known as the WUI) while improving forest and ecosystem health by reducing non-native plant cover. 

Project planning was completed in the 2021-22 fiscal year and included mapping, modeling, project design, collaboration with partner agencies, public outreach, field surveys, and environmental compliance. Project implementation began in summer 2022 and continues. Future maintenance will include phased implementation of recommended vegetation management activities along the shaded fuel break.

The Greater Ross Valley Shaded Fuel Break Project is a collaboration of MWPA, Marin County Fire Department, Ross Valley Fire Department, Kentfield Fire Protection District, and Central Marin Fire Department.

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.

Project Update, Fall 2024: Work continues by hand crews in the Cascade Canyon area. This critical and challenging work is actively removing nonnative invasive broom cover by hand on steep slopes next to homes. Photos of some of the work completed in 2024 are available HERE. An updated FAQ document is now available HERE.

Project Update, Summer 2024: This season's project activities began on August 1, 2024. Crews will be active in the Cascade Canyon area (late summer and fall) and will move along the project area towards Bald Hill (fall and winter). THIS FIGURE shows upcoming work areas.

Project Update, Spring 2024: In year 1 (summer 2022 - Jan 2023) and year 2 (spring/summer 2023 - Dec 2023), approximately 20 miles of project area was completed. Crews will kick off year 3 starting August 1, 2024 and will continue to work in the Cascade Canyon area as well as the Sky Ranch and Bald Hill neighborhoods southward toward the Town of Ross. Please see THIS FIGURE showing project phases. Please note that this work spans both public and private properties. If you have received a right of entry form, your property may overlap this project area. If so, please make sure to return the right of entry form to Marin Wildfire by mail or submit it digitally using the link below.

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This project is funded by Measure C and a generous grant through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Wildfire Prevention Grant Program.

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Did you receive a letter from us recently?

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The Property Owner Right of Entry Form is intended to grant permission to MWPA employees, contractors, and partner agency employees to access private property while providing services as part of the GRVSFB project. If your property is within the project area you may have received this form in the mail. Please sign and return the form digitally by clicking "here", or mailing the hard copy to 1600 Los Gamos, Suite 345, San Rafael, CA 94903. If you have misplaced your copy you may print it yourself or contact us to request another at grvsfb@marinwildfire.org or speters@marinwildfire.org.