Sonoma County Regional Parks is a leader in fire preparedness in our county. The Natural Resources Division is building a team of wildfire experts who manage prescribed burns (good fire), to promote forest health and reduce fire fuels, while also training the crews of tomorrow. Parks Foundation donors have been instrumental in investing in this critical program.
Prescribed fire is an important tool to help protect our communities and revitalize our ecosystems by reducing excessive fuels. This “good fire” reduces the intensity of future wildfires and supports ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, germination and reduction of pathogens. Good fire protects mature trees so that they can continue to grow and sequester carbon.
Last year Regional Parks' efforts increased the pace and scale of prescribed fire by partnering with multiple organizations, such as CalFire, Audubon Canyon Ranch, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, State Parks, and Sonoma Land Trust. Together they applied good fire to over 300 acres of parkland, from the grasslands of Tolay Ranch to the dense forests of Monte Rio Redwoods. Regional Parks also has been integral in supporting the Santa Rosa Junior College Wildfire Resilience Program, a workforce development program that gives students hands-on skills and experience.
In addition to prescribed fire, Regional Parks uses mowing, limbing trees, grazing and other vegetation management to reduce fire fuels in its parks.
Prescribed fire is an important tool to help protect our communities and revitalize our ecosystems by reducing excessive fuels. This “good fire” reduces the intensity of future wildfires and supports ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, germination and reduction of pathogens. Good fire protects mature trees so that they can continue to grow and sequester carbon.
Last year Regional Parks' efforts increased the pace and scale of prescribed fire by partnering with multiple organizations, such as CalFire, Audubon Canyon Ranch, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, State Parks, and Sonoma Land Trust. Together they applied good fire to over 300 acres of parkland, from the grasslands of Tolay Ranch to the dense forests of Monte Rio Redwoods. Regional Parks also has been integral in supporting the Santa Rosa Junior College Wildfire Resilience Program, a workforce development program that gives students hands-on skills and experience.
In addition to prescribed fire, Regional Parks uses mowing, limbing trees, grazing and other vegetation management to reduce fire fuels in its parks.
Equipment Wish List for Fire Preparedness: Spring 2026
Please contact Melissa Kelley at [email protected] or 707-565-1830 if you are able to help support this effort!
- A temporary water tank that can be set up for a prescribed burn to help keep the fire within the burn unit: $3,500
- Fire-resistant clothing essential for our work: 10 sets at $420/each ($4,200 total)
- Water pump: $2,000
- Propane backpack and cylinder used to ignite burn piles, especially in winter conditions: four at $135 each ($540 total)
- Burn Boss Radios: two at $3,500 each ($7,000 total)
- Fire Hose: $3,500
We are also welcoming donor support to hire our terrific seasonal workers, who enable Regional Parks to expand the scope of our vegetation management work. Donors can sponsor a crew member for $5,000 per month.
