Good Fire Day at Riddell Preserve
04/16/2026 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.
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:
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Hiking up and down moderate slopes
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Carrying and using long and short handled tools, backpack water pump, drip torch, propane torch, and other tools
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Lighting, tending, and extinguishing burn piles
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Gathering fuel, including hand sawing and lopping trees and shrubs, and adding to piles
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Taking weather readings
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Maintaining exquisite vibes
What you should bring, if you have it:
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Enough water for the day; we recommend 2 liters minimum
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Picnic lunch and snacks
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A backpack to hold your gear
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Sturdy boots or shoes that can get muddy
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Long pants and fully non-synthetic clothing (this means cotton or wool is OK, polyester and other synthetic clothing is NOT OK)
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Sunglasses or safety glasses
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Bandana for your face/neck
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Leather gloves
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Brimmed hat and sunscreen
What else do you need to know?
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Expect to do a 1.5-mile round trip hike up a somewhat steep but well-graded trail to the project site
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You will be asked to sign a liability waiver
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Restroom may be on-site
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No potable water available on the property
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No pets or smoking
Where to Meet: Meet us 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.
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.
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!
