Patch Burn at Riddell

Patch Burn at the Riddell Preserve
Saturday, February 1st, 2025
8:30 am to 4 pm 
 

Greetings community fire tenders,

LandPaths is pleased to announce the first season of our new Good Fire Program.  The Good Fire Program seeks to return fire to the land in a safe, respectful, and meaningful community-oriented way. We do this through a variety of burning techniques, from pile burning to prescribed fire, but also through an intermediate method of 'patch burns'.  Whether you are brand new to fire or are an experienced fire tender, the LandPaths Good Fire Program offers you a way to deepen your relationship with the land through fire.  

It's wildfire fuels reduction time on the preserve! Now that we've pulled tons of French Broom and lopped Douglas Firs, it's time to minimize the woody debris while it's okay to do burn piles. The more people we have, the more we can do! Come join us and help us return good fire to the land!

Tasks for the day include:  

• Hiking up and down moderate slopes 
• Lighting burn piles and letting them creep
• Gathering wood debris and adding woody debris to burn piles 
• Adjusting pile shape with hand-tools 
• Putting out burn pile with water and hand-tools
• Assessing fire heat

What you should bring, if you have it: 

• Picnic lunch, snacks & plenty (2 liters+) of water, backpack to hold your gear
• Sturdy boots or shoes that can get muddy
• Long pants and fully non-synthetic clothing
• Sunglasses or safety glasses
• Bandana for your face/neck
• Leather gloves  
• Brimmed hat and sunscreen

What else do you need to know? 

• A handwashing station will be available.
• Expect to do a 1.5-mile round trip hike up a somewhat steep but well-graded trail to the project site. 
• You will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
• Restroom onsite
• No potable water available on the property. Make sure to fill up your water bottle ahead of time. 
• No pets or smoking. 

Where to Meet: Meet LandPaths' staff and other volunteers in the parking lot of the Healdsburg Corporation Yard at 550 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Once everyone arrives we will caravan to the preserve. Please arrive on time. 

Directions: From Highway 101 North, take the Central Healdsburg Exit. and make a slight left on Healdsburg Avenue.  Turn left onto Mill Street. Continue under the highway overpass as Mill Street turns into Westside Road. The Corporation Yard parking lot will be on the left immediately before the bridge crossing at the intersection of Westside Rd and Lucius Way. There is a "Corporation Yard" sign at the entrance to the parking lot.           
   
From Highway 101 South, take the Westside Exit and turn right on Westside Rd.  The Corporation Yard parking lot will be on the left immediately before the bridge crossing at the intersection of Westside Rd and Lucius Way.    

About Riddell: Riddell Preserve is located on the original homeland of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. With its magnificent native grasslands, pure madrone stands, redwood fairy rings, and perennial springs, Riddell Preserve is a 400-acre wonderland above Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg. LandPaths has stewarded the land since 2007 when it was donated by Kay and Bob Riddell. 

Does rain mean the workday is canceled? The stewardship workday will move forward if there is a light drizzle, but a torrential rainstorm will cancel.  Please call 707-544-7284 (then press 1) after 7am the morning of the stewardship day if the weather feels questionable. If you don't hear a notice of cancellation on the outgoing voice message, the stewardship day is moving forward.  

Thank you for your interest in our Good Fire Program; we look forward to seeing you out on the land!