Good Fire Day at Grove of Old Trees

01/03/2026 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM PT

Description

Greetings community fire tenders,

The LandPaths stewardship team and community stewards care for over 3,000 acres of Pomo, Coast Miwok, and Wappo land spread across five nature preserves throughout Sonoma County. We are pleased to announce the third season of our Good Fire Program. The Good Fire Program mission is to return fire to the land in a safe, respectful, and meaningful community-oriented way. We are creating and maintaining an inclusive and caring space, available and held for all, and disrespectful behavior is not tolerated. We believe that stewardship is an ongoing relationship between people and land, and we seek to develop a healthy and reciprocal relationship based on respect and trust.

All burn days will involve burning piles, including pile prep, lighting, tending, and extinguishing. Any burn day may involve a patch burn of exposed grasslands or timber understory if the weather permits and the site is appropriate.

We are committed to expanding access to the land through fire, and so there are no certifications necessary to participate and no age limit. If you have accessibility needs, please reach out and let us know how we can help!

Tasks for the day will include:

Hiking up and down moderate slopes
Carrying and using long and short handled tools, backpack water pump, drip torch, propane torch, and other tools
Lighting, tending, and extinguishing burn piles
Gathering fuel, including hand sawing and lopping trees and shrubs, and adding to piles
Taking weather readings
Maintaining exquisite vibes

What you should bring, if you have it:

Enough water for the day; we recommend 2 liters minimum
Picnic lunch and snacks
A backpack to hold your gear
Sturdy boots or shoes that can get muddy
Long pants and fully non-synthetic clothing (this means cotton or wool is OK, polyester and other synthetic clothing is NOT OK)
Sunglasses or safety glasses
Bandana for your face/neck
Leather gloves
Brimmed hat and sunscreen

What else do you need to know?

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 may be on-site
No potable water available on the property
No pets or smoking

Where to Meet: Meet LandPaths' staff and other volunteers at the parking lot of the Grove of Old Trees (17599 Fitzpatrick Ln, Occidental, CA 95465). Once everyone arrives we will hike to the project site.

Directions: The following directions are to the Grove parking lot. Make your way to the town of Occidental and look for Coleman Valley Road – the main road exiting the West Side of town. Continue along Coleman Valley Road until the road makes a sharp turn to the right. Go straight (do not continue on Coleman Valley Road). You are now on Joy Road. Take Joy Road for approximately ¼ mile where you will turn right on Fitzpatrick Lane. Proceed slowly on this narrow winding lane. Please remember to give right of way to vehicles traveling uphill. Stay on Fitzpatrick Lane approximately 5 minutes; the road banks to the left over a cattle grate, and up a moderately steep hill. The Grove will appear on your right. Follow the paved road along the Grove to the parking area on the right. If you are driving from the local area or know others attending this workday, to your comfort, please consider carpooling to reduce the vehicle impact to Fitzpatrick Lane. Thank You!

If we need to cancel due to weather or other circumstances: You will immediately receive an email if the program gets cancelled. However, if you would like to confirm, check back on this post; it will say "CANCELLED" if the program is called off.

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