With steep slopes and dense forests rising above popular swimming holes and trails, the Wild and Scenic South Yuba River is an extremely high wildfire-risk area. Nevada City, Grass Valley, and thousands of homes line its southern rim.
“This project will implement an important pilot of large-scale thinning and prescribed fire at a strategic location between the community of Nevada City and the South Yuba River to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire,” said Julie Fair, program director, California Headwaters Conservation, with American Rivers, the non-profit leading the Hoyt-Purdon Prescribed Fire and Fuel Reduction Project.
A former Nevada City resident, Fair’s professional expertise and lived experience help her to understand how heavy use, steep canyons, dense forests, and lots of built infrastructure make for a very combustible combination in the South Yuba River Canyon.
“The South Yuba River State Park receives 1 million visitors annually, increasing the likelihood of ignitions in the Canyon that could quickly and rapidly spread to surrounding communities,” added Fair.
The convergence of natural and community resources at risk from wildfire is why the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) jumped at the opportunity to fund American Rivers to reduce wildfire risk and increase climate resilience on 570 acres in the South Yuba River Canyon just north of Nevada City.
Reducing fire risk with good fire within the wildland-urban interface
Located within the wildland-urban interface outside Nevada City and extending two miles along the South Yuba River, the Hoyt-Purdon Fuel Reduction and Prescribed Fire Implementation Project is on private land between Hoyt’s and Purdon crossings. While the project will help protect natural resources, such as water supplies and carbon stores, the main focus is protecting the many homes in this populous Sierra Nevada foothills area.
The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services is enthusiastic about the fuel reduction work. “This project is a priority because of its location between the river canyon and the communities of Grass Valley and Nevada City, as well as being adjacent to the highly visited South Yuba River Park and Purdon Rd, an important egress route for recreationists and residents. Fuels reduction in this area has been a CAL FIRE priority for 15 years…,” wrote Director Craig Griesbach in support of American River’s grant application.
Prescribed fire adds additional layer of risk reduction, restoration benefit
The Hoyt-Purdon project will reduce fuels both through mechanical and manual treatments and prescribed fire. The reintroduction of good fire further reduces the risk of a damaging wildfire and brings with it a myriad of ecological benefits ranging from returning nutrients to the soil, improving wildlife habitat, controlling disease, and encouraging the reproduction of native fire-adapted species.
“Prescribed fire re-instates a beneficial natural process with many associated benefits to forest and watershed ecology,” added Fair. “Initial thinning is expensive, but once conditions are made safe for burning, burning can be repeated at much lower costs through burn associations to maintain vital wildfire-risk-reduction over the longer term.”
Expected to be completed by December 2027, a winter dry spell following early heavy rains allowed American Rivers to make a strong start to reintroducing good fire to the project area. Project partners broadcast burned 65 acres in December and hope to burn more in spring and again in fall 2025 should weather conditions allow.
Matthew Moore, the Tribal historic preservation officer with the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria (Miwok Maidu), echoed Fair’s assessment of prescribed fire’s benefits—and noted it creates a healthier, more diverse forest. “It will improve forest resilience by creating a more heterogeneous forest structure that is tempered by fire and resilient to climate change, as well as preserve recreation opportunities along the South Yuba River,” he wrote in support of the project.
American Rivers, SNC focused on many benefits of healthy watersheds
The focus of American Rivers is to take care of rivers and water for both people and nature. It makes sense that they picked the South Yuba River as a place to invest time and resources. As the main tributary to Englebright Reservoir, it is an essential component of Yuba County Water Agency’s infrastructure. It generates hydropower and is a major source of drinking and irrigation water throughout its service area.
The South Yuba River is also a treasured and well-used recreational landscape that includes world-class whitewater stretches, trails, and granite-boulder-lined swimming holes visited by millions of people every year. Keeping it safe and flourishing aligns with the goals of both American Rivers and the SNC.
“Nationally, American Rivers works to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature. In California, we have a headwaters conservation program that aligns with the geography and watershed goals of the SNC,” Fair said. “Over the last decade, the SNC has funded American Rivers to increase headwaters resilience through meadow restoration, fuel reduction, and prescribed fire.”
By reducing climate and wildfire risks to homes, infrastructure, people, and natural resources, the Hoyt-Purdon Fuel Reduction and Prescribed Fire Implementation Project is helping to protect the economic and environmental well-being of this portion of Nevada County.
It is exactly the type of work the SNC and partners like American Rivers look to continue throughout the Sierra-Cascade.