PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — Northern California is having its driest February since 1864, making conditions ideal for wildfires. That's why firefighters have been working to minimize the blow one could bring to an area near Colfax.
For 10 months the crews, led by Cal Fire, have been working to create a shaded fuel break — cutting, chipping, burning and clearing dangerous vegetation in Placer County’s North Fork American Canyon that could add fuel to a wildfire.
Cal Fire Captain Justin Kimbrell said they chose the area because of its wildfire history. Kimbrell said the project was first conceived nearly a decade ago and has come to fruition because of support from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"It's going to slow down the fire that may start in here," Kimbrell said. "It gives firefighters an opportunity to come in here and actually slow it down, put it out and actually extinguish this fire."
Kimbrell said nearly the entire canyon used to have dry brush around most of the trees and large rocks.
Now, for nearly as far as the eye can see, the trees and rocks have plenty of space in between them, surrounded only by vegetation important to the canyon's ecology. They are results that will make a huge difference if and when a wildfire comes through the canyon.
"The intensity of that fire coming out towards these homes could possibly be catastrophic for these homes, the nearby town of Colfax, for the interstate, for the pipeline," Kimbrell explained.
Multiple agencies have been helping Cal Fire with the North Fork Vegetation Management Project, including the California Conservation Corps and U.S. National Guard.
"My father's a fire captain," said Corporal Ryan Cornacchioli of the National Guard. "I went with him after the Paradise fire burned and saw the aftermath. The fact that we're doing something to prevent that, that's huge to me."
The important, meaningful work for Cornacchioli is also physically exhausting, carrying upwards of 40 pounds of gear, plus a chainsaw to cut trees. Plus, everything that is cut down needs to be moved.
Still, he said the hard work for the community is something he'd like to keep doing.
"Hopefully the project extends for a while," Cornacchioli said. "I'm looking at possibly joining Cal Fire."
The work done Tuesday was part of phase two of the North Fork Vegetation Management Project.
Cal Fire said phase three — controlled burns — will happen later this year depending on weather.
Follow the conversation on Facebook with Zach Fuentes.
FOR NEWS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, DOWNLOAD THE ABC10 APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for ABC10's Daily Blend Newsletter