Critical Fuels Projects Funded by PG&E on the Santa Lucia Ranger District

Representatives from the Los Padres National Forest, San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, CAL FIRE and PG&E gathered at the Mt. Lowe communication site to discuss fire hazard abatement projects at four sites within San Luis Obispo County. The projects were made possible by a $163,500 community grant provided by PG&E to the SLO County Community Fire Safe Council.

The money is being used for fuel reduction, emergency access and defensible space projects on both state and federal lands. CAL FIRE and California Conservation Corps crews are carrying out the project work.

One of the primary projects is focused on the Cuesta and Tassajera communication sites located along West Cuesta along TV Tower Road. These sites were severely damaged during the 1994 Highway 41 Fire, and have long been identified as needing fire hazard abatement work. The PG&E grant through the Fire Safe Council will fund crews to brush the road and create 100-foot defensible space around the communication sites.

“Wildfires are a huge risk in San Luis Obispo County – a threat that will only intensify as the ongoing drought continues to impact our region,” said Pat Mullen, PG&E’s local division director. “PG&E is proud to help our customers prevent wildfires in the area and protect critical infrastructure. There’s nothing more important to us than the safety of local residents.”

Los Padres National Forest Supervisor Robert Baird expressed his appreciation for the collaborative effort. "This project is a prime example of how the SLO Firesafe Council brought together federal, state, county and community planning to reduce wildfire risk. PG&E is a great partner by providing the funds to the Fire Safe council to protect these critical communications towers. Collaboration like this is vital to accomplishing our shared goals of managing these lands to mitigating the risks for the public and firefighters while protecting critical infrastructure."

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Frank Mecham, who also serves as President of the SLO Fire Safe Council, spoke about the area’s fire history and the need to take proactive steps to protect communications.

"It’s been twenty years since the infamous Highway 41 Fire,” Mecham said. “With the extended drought conditions the fire dangers remain high. With the ability to access grants and with the support of PG&E, your Fire Safe Council continues to seek projects that will reduce the danger and help prevent another catastrophic event."

This event further demonstrated the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation including private citizens, utility companies, and local, state, and federal agencies to accomplish critical hazard abatement work.

Article by Andrew Madsen, Public Affairs Officer