Project: Planned Fire and Fuels Management on Stanford Lands

In 2021, Stanford published its wildfire management plan, which outlined fire risk and fuel treatments across all Stanford lands. Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (‘Ootchamin ‘Ooyakma) JRBP’O’O supplemented these recommendations in a white paper based on the advice of 25 experts who convened at the preserve in June 2022 for a workshop. The following recommendations were made for managing fire risk on JRBP’O’O:

• Clearly communicate risk and the limitations and assumptions of modeling. 
• Emphasize ecologically sensitive and sustainable fuel treatments on JRBP’O’O. 
• Approach fire-risk mitigation through adaptive management that draws on diverse areas of expertise, experience, responsibility, and engagement.

In 2023, JRBP’O’O began designing an array of fuel treatment projects along sections of its boundary in consultation with CAL FIRE and Woodside Fire Prevention District. Most fuel treatments used hand thinning with chipping or mastication to remove vegetation. Along the southern boundary between the Mapache and Goya Gates, terrain was too steep for machinery to access. Pile burning was suggested as a means to reduce fuel loading. Planning for the pile burns began in the spring of 2023. The piles were constructed by a contract vegetation crew at the end of summer in 2023. A burn plan was created in January 2024, and the piles were burned by a contract burn crew in early March 2024.

The larger social and political context in which this project occurred has shifted within the past few years. Recent wildfires in the region and increased public awareness about effective fire prevention have spurred an onslaught of funding and fuel reduction projects. Fire use is an increasingly accepted tool for land managers.

Project Goals

This project safely and effectively demonstrated responsible fire use through extensive operational and logistical planning; clear, consistent, and regular communication; and collaboration with adjacent land managers and neighbors. It was the first of its kind for Stanford and many of the adjacent communities. Success was dependent on having community buy-in. This project has provided a stable foundation and model for future fuel reduction projects to incorporate fire.

Project Achievements

This project burned nearly 200 piles and treated 15 acres, creating an effective fuel break along the Westridge boundary. It was the culmination of a year-long collaboration among Stanford departments, researchers, state and local government agencies, private contractors, neighboring communities,  and Muwekma Ohlone Tribal members. To the credit of all who were involved, the project was completed seamlessly and sets the standard for implementing projects of this type moving forward. The success resulted from the genuine participation and cooperation of all stakeholders. In post-burning stakeholder interviews, several participants shared a similar sentiment that there was a collective willingness to engage with this project despite early uncertainties about the practicality, safety, and broad acceptance of using burning as a tool for fuel reduction and wildfire risk mitigation. However, rather than be paralyzed into inaction, stakeholders came together to address these uncertainties and move this project forward.

Project Photos

Project Takeaways

One main takeaway from this project is the organization required for clear, consistent, and effective communication. Public transparency was essential in order to represent Stanford with a unified voice despite its inclusion of many diverse, and at times disparate, groups. Also important was that JRBP’O’O had an explicit set of values and guidelines before starting planning. This made justifying and explaining the project much easier.

What’s Next?

The primary challenge now is maintaining the fuel break, including restoring burn scars, determining maintenance schedules, and planning future treatments. JRBP’O’O will use monitoring plots and adaptive management to stay updated on best practices. Pile burns may also be suitable in other areas of Stanford land. Expanding pile burns to other areas, such as the Dish, is recommended due to its controlled environment and accessibility. Additionally, burning sections of the chaparral at JRBP’O’O is necessary as they are overdue for their natural burn cycle.

The ultimate goal is to establish a cultural burning institute at Stanford, providing Indigenous burners with the resources and land necessary to gain experience, overcoming barriers related to land disenfranchisement.

Project Team

PRIMARY PARTNER: Stanford University’s Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ‘Ootchamin ‘Ooyakma (JRBP’O’O)

COLLABORATING PARTNERS: Stanford Land, Buildings & Real Estate, University Communications, Office of Government Affairs, CAL FIRE, Woodside Fire Protection District, vegetation contract crew, burn contract crew, researchers, Muwekma Ohlone Tribal members, Native Plants Garden Class, Heritage Services, and University Archaeologist