Resilience is about being prepared

Take a proactive stance and prepare for wildfire now

As I watched the Los Angeles fires, it was hard not to think about the Sonoma fires of 2017-2020. Our wildfires have impacted me, my friends and family, and my larger community in ways that still influence how I talk about fire. Throughout California, communities are threatened by climate-change-fueled wildfires,      igniting during the driest, windiest times. But what feels different today is that our lands and communities are more prepared by proactively planning for and rapidly responding to wildfires.

Sonoma Land Trust is better prepared, too! We have gone from planning for active forest management to applying good fire to hundreds of acres across the county. Just last month, I became a certified California State Burn Boss–the culmination of years of work that allows me to plan and lead prescribed burns for our organization and our regional collaborative.

We know that fire is a natural process and an integral part of California’s ecosystems; we cannot ‘stop’ wildfires from happening, and in fact, many plants and animals depend on it. But we can build resilience and benefit from improving the health of the natural world around us.

What I have learned is that we cannot clear enough vegetation or pump enough water to control fires that are already too big. However, we can ensure that structures, driveways, and roads have adequate clearance to slow the spread of fire and allow for first responders to gain access. We cannot make up for two centuries of timber mismanagement and fire suppression overnight, but we can slowly and steadily bring good fire back to the land, acre by acre. We can recognize how laws prohibiting cultural burning have further oppressed native peoples who practiced thoughtful burning that kept the ecosystems in balance and their food sources abundant.  We have finally come to the realization that fire suppression was the wrong decision for our ecosystems and have partners that support the practice of well-timed and safely managed burns that can lessen the destructive impacts of future wildfires on our treasured landscapes.

This month, learn how to take a proactive approach to wildfire resilience. Below are many informative articles and resources.

Thanks for being part of the effort. Together, we each play a role in building community and ecosystem resilience.

The science of fire

The science of fire is wildly complex, but Sonoma Land Trust uses science-backed strategies like prescribed burns to restore balance and reduce wildfire risks. By understanding the fire triangle—fuel, heat, and oxygen—and carefully considering conditions like weather and topography, we are bringing “good fire” back to the land. Dive into the science behind fire behavior and see how thoughtful planning is shaping a more resilient future.

A fire triangle refers to the three elements a fire needs to start:

• Fuel (e.g., something that can burn);
• Heat (e.g., lightning, lava, a match, etc.); and
• Oxygen

When a spark lands on a “fuel” like vegetation that is dry enough to burn (receptive), an exothermic (heat) reaction follows. On a chemical level, the fuel and oxygen molecules are being rapidly converted to heat and gases. Importantly, the reaction can be stopped by removing any part of the triangle (removing the fuel, spraying water to remove heat, or suffocating it to remove the oxygen).

In wildland or prescribed fire, we use another triangle to explain fire behavior which is influenced by:

• Fuels;
• Weather; and
• Topography

Manipulation and evaluation of all three elements are integral to the success of a prescribed burn, and a major part of the planning process. Join me for a peek behind the curtain.

Fuels – what type of material are we burning, what is its’ condition, how wet is it? For a grassland burn, we usually wait for the annual grasses to cure/die (when the hills turn from green to golden). Weather drives a big part of the “prescription” for a successful burn. We look for windows that are just right–not too hot or too cold, and certainly not too windy. Ideally, we want atmospheric conditions that help the smoke lift and disperse away from neighbors or sensitive communities. Topography also matters, mainly because fire burns uphill, as flames preheat the area above. When considering topography, we may ask questions like:

• How steep is this area?
• Does it face south (warmer, more sun) or north (wetter, perhaps harder to burn)?
• How many staff do we need to manage this burn?

It takes a team–and patience–to plan a prescribed burn where all the conditions are just right. Keep in mind that all of this is happening in the escalating climate crisis, where the traditional rhythm to the seasons is becoming more variable. That’s why we look for opportunities to burn when the conditions are right rather than set an arbitrary date in the calendar based on what used to work when seasons were more predictable. Rainfall amounts and intensities are changing. The onset of spring differs from year to year. Transitions from summer fog to fall offshore wind are tricky. That’s why we need to remain nimble when planning prescribed burns.

Complicating matters, warmer days increase the vapor pressure deficit, which basically means the air is thirstier. In the west, especially in forested areas, this effect has made entire regions more prone to major wildfires (source). We are also observing effects locally as well–particularly in the drier fall burn window, larger trees are more susceptible to fire than would have been historically. It’s our hope that by showing a behind-the-scenes look at the science of wildland fire, you’ll have some of your questions answered. As a State-Certified Prescribed-Fire Burn Boss, I know firsthand that there is a lot to take in and process when it comes to bringing good fire back to the land. We approach this work carefully and methodically, knowing that it can be dangerous, but restoration of this natural process need is too important not to do.

At Sonoma Land Trust, we remain committed to the latest science around wildfires and climate change.  You can learn more about our prescribed fire work and get notifications on our website and social media channels.

Community Spotlight: How local Watch Duty app has helped others connect during wildfires.

In Sonoma County, where wildfires have reshaped both landscapes and lives, Healdsburg resident and Sonoma Land Trust supporter John Mills has dedicated himself to protecting the place he loves. As the co-founder of Watch Duty—a nonprofit providing real-time fire intelligence—Mills has helped transform how communities prepare for and respond to wildfires.

The platform, which has garnered national attention as an essential tool for both residents and first responders during the devastating Los Angeles fires of 2025, is also changing perceptions around prescribed burns as a key wildfire mitigation strategy. Now widely recognized as a critical wildfire communications tool, Mills is receiving well-earned recognition for his efforts to keep communities here at home and across the county informed and safe.

John never set out to become a fire expert. But after experiencing firsthand the Kincade and Walbridge fires, he found himself drawn into the world of wildfire response. “I moved here in 2020 and had to start learning how to defend myself,” Mills says. “I joined Firewise groups, started wildland fire training, and surrounded myself with experts. What I realized is that information is one of the most powerful tools we have.”

That insight shaped the way Watch Duty operates—not just as an emergency alert system, but as an information hub that helps communities understand the role of fire in the landscape. Mills and his team saw that the lack of public knowledge about fire ecology was contributing to fear and resistance. “People smell smoke and panic, even if it just rained yesterday. It’s understandable, but it also shows how little we’ve been taught about fire’s natural role.”

For over a century, U.S. fire suppression policies have resulted in overgrown forests packed with dense, highly flammable vegetation. Indigenous communities have long understood the necessity of fire as a land management tool, using periodic burning to maintain healthy ecosystems. Now, as catastrophic wildfires become more frequent, a consensus among land managers and firefighters has been reached: prescribed burning is beneficial and necessary.

Watch Duty has played an unexpected but vital role in normalizing this practice. By integrating prescribed burn alerts alongside wildfire updates, the platform communicates about fire activity with clarity and transparency. Mills explains, “We started pulling data from prescribed fire incidents and listing them on Watch Duty. We didn’t ask permission; we just did it. And now, agencies and land managers are realizing the value of getting that information out there.”

John partnered with other organizations and community groups, including Sonoma Land Trust, Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Fire Forward team, and California State Parks.

Watch Duty has made notifying the community about wild and prescribed fires more efficient and easier for everyone engaging on the app. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to provide feedback during the development phase of the prescribed burn process and have seen tremendous improvements in how we communicate and connect with our neighbors and communities during our prescribed fire work.

This integrated approach has helped ease community anxiety. “We see it on social media all the time—someone asks about smoke, and within minutes, others respond with screenshots from Watch Duty, reassuring them it’s a prescribed burn,” Mills says. “That’s how the world moves forward: through better public information and education.”

Mills acknowledges that resistance remains. However, the more people understand fire’s role, the more they support solutions like prescribed burns. The platform’s success—boasting 5.8 million users—demonstrates the growing demand for clear, reliable fire communications. “We’re not just reacting to fire anymore; we’re helping people understand it,” Mills says. That’s how we change the future.”

By bridging the gap between fear and understanding, Watch Duty is proving that information is more than just a tool—it’s a force for transformation. In Sonoma County and beyond, prescribed fire is no longer just a concept discussed by ecologists and firefighters; it’s becoming a widely accepted practice for protecting both land and lives.

Learn more and download the app here: https://www.watchduty.org

In nature, timing is everything

An experienced gardener may tell you there is a right time to prune or plant their crop. Similarly, land managers who use prescribed fire are thoughtful about how and when to burn. The goal is to maximize the benefits of prescribed burning while minimizing potential impacts on the ecosystem or surrounding communities.

Prescribed fire practitioners burn select areas for three main reasons:

1. To decrease the risk of more dangerous fires;
2. To improve the health of habitats for native plants and animals by clearing away a portion of live and dead vegetation; and
3. To manage invasive species.

But how do prescribed fire managers choose when to burn a given area? The answer depends on the particulars of the location, and the exact goals.

Between February and April, it is not a great season for bringing intentional fire to the land. Tall green grass and damp forest fuels (from logs, leaves, and sticks) equate to a lot of wet material. It’s hard to burn damp fuels–and even if you manage to get them going, wet fuels tend to produce a lot of smoke. This is also the season of nesting birds, migrating salamanders, and blooming plants, which are protected under state law. If a burn must happen in this window, pile burning is the way to go, only after surveying for nesting birds.

In the spring, from May through July, prescribed fire can help reduce invasive species in grasslands. For example, by timing the burns to match the development of invasive species, some of which flower later than native plants, land managers can control plants like yellow star thistle or medusahead grass, while protecting native species whose seeds have already lodged themselves deep into the seed bank. In addition to nourishing native habitat quality, grassland burns enhance community wildfire resilience by burning fuels that do not re-grow until the end of fire season.

July through August can be an excellent period for prescribed fire only if the conditions are right. In some cases, prescribed burns need enough heat to sufficiently knock back encroaching shrubs. This is especially relevant for improving coastal prairie habitat. Of course, not every window in the summer is a good time to burn–heatwaves, windstorms, and stagnant air rightly delay many burn projects. Burn managers coordinate with air quality and fire agencies to ensure that burning only occurs when public health and safety can be protected.

In the fall, from September through November, can be tricky for planning a prescribed burn. But after rains come, this can be one of the best windows to get fire on the ground. Although fall brings a greater potential for off-shore wind events, and smoke is a concern for grapes, this is the season when historically, fires burned large areas. As such, plants and animals are the most adapted to fire during this period of time, over any other. Fire during this time can clear grass and leaves, and can help reduce acorn weevil populations, giving acorns a better chance to grow into the next generation of oaks.

Lastly, November through January can be a great season for burning, provided the conditions are right. Pile burning is at its’ best, and if you cover your piles with wax paper, they should remain dry in the middle, while surrounding fuels are too wet to burn. Swaths of tall, dead grass thatch can be burned off too, helping revitalize meadows and rangeland. If dry, leaf litter can be burned, with less concern for nesting creatures or damage to fire-scarred trees.

Rain, winds, stagnant air, or a big wildfire somewhere might cancel any plans for good fire. We are working with the elements to the best of our abilities. Utilizing windows of time for safe and effective burning is vital for long-term ecological and communal resilience as we work to protect lands and people from the worst impacts of future, unwieldy wildfires.

Building Wildfire Resilience Together

At Sonoma Land Trust, we believe that a healthy community and a thriving ecosystem go hand in hand. Working together, on the land and in our backyards, we can take proactive steps that realize our goal of healthy forests, well-managed landscapes, and fire-prepared communities can become the norm, not the exception. To do this, we tend to the land in ways that make it more resilient to drought and fire. But we also take on the personal responsibility of creating climate resilience at an individual property level.

We have compiled some resources to help you join us in preparing for a future where wildfires are less destructive. Together, we can take proactive steps and reimagine a world where healthy forests, tended land, and prepared communities are the norm, not the exception.

Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative: A Unified Effort

After the devastating wildfires of 2017, Sonoma Land Trust helped establish the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative (SVWC). This coalition of six partners manages more than 20,000 acres of protected lands in Sonoma County, including preserves, regional parks, and state parks. One of SVWC’s primary goals is to reintroduce beneficial fire practices, making forests more resilient to wildfires.

Understanding Your Wildfire Risk

Do you live in a high wildfire hazard zone? The CAL FIRE hazard map can help you identify your risk level and provide recommendations for preparedness. Educating yourself and your community about wildfire risks and fire-ready homes is the first step in building resilience.

The Wildfire Fuel Mapper and historical fire data for Sonoma County offer additional tools to assess past fire activity and current wildfire risks. Enter your address to generate a report identifying fire hazard severity zones near you.

Steps to Harden Your Home and Property

Once you understand your fire risk, take these essential steps to protect your home and property:

1. Maintain defensible space – Reduce vegetation around your home.
2. Modify home and building materials – Upgrade to fire-resistant materials when possible.
3. Landscape with care – Plant native and fire-resistant species at a safe distance from your home.

Sustainable Defensible Space provides extensive resources on each of these actions.

California’s Commitment to Wildfire Resilience

California continues to lead in wildfire preparedness by providing resources and funding for resilient communities. Thanks to voter support in the 2024 election, Proposition 4 allocated $135 million through the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to nonprofits dedicated to wildfire risk reduction.

Governor Newsom’s 2021 statewide action plan accelerated climate-ready initiatives, and recent legislation further strengthens wildfire resilience. In 2024, Senate Bill 1101 (Limón) and Senate Bill 310 (Dodd) were signed into law, enhancing proactive fire measures and restoring cultural burning practices historically used by Indigenous communities.

Your votes and tax dollars are actively working to prevent future catastrophic wildfires.

Local Action: Sonoma County’s Proactive Steps

At the local level, Sonoma County Regional Parks has invested in reducing wildfire fuel loads and implementing proactive land management strategies. These efforts help mitigate wildfire risks and protect our shared open spaces.

A Collective Path Forward

Building wildfire resilience and preparing for fire-ready communities will not follow a straight path. Instead, it requires a network of interconnected actions. Thank you for taking the time to learn how you can contribute. If you have ample land, consider exploring land management strategies for fire prevention—and talk to your neighbors. They may be surprised to learn about the long-term benefits of controlled burns in restoring and healing the land.

A good place to start is to watch this video and learn more about what to expect from a prescribed burn.

Aumentar juntos la resistencia a los incendios forestales

En Sonoma Land Trust creemos que una comunidad sana y un ecosistema próspero van de la mano. Trabajando juntos, en la tierra y en nuestros patios traseros, podemos tomar medidas proactivas que realicen nuestro objetivo de bosques sanos, paisajes bien gestionados, y comunidades preparadas para los incendios pueden convertirse en la norma, no la excepción. Lea más sobre los recursos disponibles para ayudarle a estar preparado para los incendios forestales, empezando en su propio patio trasero.

En Sonoma Land Trust creemos que la capacidad de recuperación de las comunidades y la salud de los ecosistemas son interdependientes y que debemos reducir el riesgo de incendios catastróficos. Para ello, cuidamos la tierra de forma que sea más resistente a la sequía y los incendios. Pero también asumimos la responsabilidad personal de crear resiliencia climática a nivel de propiedad individual.

Hemos recopilado algunos recursos que le ayudarán a prepararse para un futuro en el que los incendios forestales sean menos destructivos. Juntos, podemos tomar medidas proactivas y volver a imaginar un mundo en el que los bosques sanos, la tierra cuidada y las comunidades preparadas sean la norma, no la excepción.

Colaboración para los bosques del valle de Sonoma: Un esfuerzo unificado Tras los devastadores incendios forestales de 2017, Sonoma Land Trust ayudó a establecer la Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative (SVWC).

Esta coalición de seis socios gestiona más de 20.000 acres de tierras protegidas en el valle de Sonoma, incluidas reservas, parques regionales y parques estatales. Uno de los principales objetivos del SVWC es reintroducir prácticas beneficiosas contra incendios, haciendo que los bosques sean más resistentes a los incendios forestales.

Conozca su riesgo de incendio forestal

¿Vive en una zona de alto riesgo de incendio forestal? El mapa de riesgo de CAL FIRE puede ayudarle a identificar su nivel de riesgo y proporcionar recomendaciones para la preparación. Educarse a sí mismo y a su comunidad sobre los riesgos de incendios forestales y hogares listos para el fuego es el primer paso en la construcción de resiliencia.

El Wildfire Fuel Mapper y los datos históricos de incendios en el Condado de Sonoma ofrecen herramientas adicionales para evaluar la actividad de los incendios en el pasado y los riesgos actuales de incendios forestales. Introduzca su dirección para generar un informe que identifique las zonas de riesgo de incendio más cercanas.

Pasos para proteger su casa y su propiedad

Una vez que comprenda su riesgo de incendio, tome estas medidas esenciales para proteger su hogar y su propiedad:

1. Mantenga un espacio defendible – Reduzca la vegetación alrededor de su casa.
2. Modifique los materiales de la casa y del edificio – Actualice a materiales resistentes al fuego cuando sea posible.
3. Plante especies autóctonas y resistentes al fuego a una distancia segura de su casa.

Sustainable Defensible Space proporciona amplios recursos sobre cada una de estas acciones.

El compromiso de California con la resistencia a los incendios forestales

California continúa liderando la preparación contra incendios forestales proporcionando recursos y financiación para comunidades resistentes. Gracias al apoyo de los votantes en las elecciones de 2024, la Proposición 4 asignó 135 millones de dólares a través de la Oficina de Servicios de Emergencia de California (Cal OES) a organizaciones sin fines de lucro dedicadas a la reducción del riesgo de incendios forestales.

El plan de acción estatal de 2021 del gobernador Newsom aceleró las iniciativas de preparación para el clima, y la legislación reciente refuerza aún más la resistencia a los incendios forestales. En 2024, se promulgaron las leyes 1101 (Limón) y 310 (Dodd) del Senado, que mejoran las medidas proactivas contra incendios y restauran las prácticas culturales de quema utilizadas históricamente por las comunidades indígenas.

Sus votos y el dinero de sus impuestos están trabajando activamente para prevenir futuros incendios forestales catastróficos.

Acción local: Medidas proactivas del condado de Sonoma

A nivel local, los Parques Regionales del Condado de Sonoma han invertido en la reducción de la carga de combustible de los incendios forestales y en la aplicación de estrategias proactivas de gestión del territorio. Estos esfuerzos ayudan a mitigar los riesgos de incendios forestales y a proteger nuestros espacios abiertos compartidos.

Un camino colectivo hacia adelante

La creación de resiliencia ante los incendios forestales y la preparación de comunidades preparadas para el fuego no seguirán un camino recto. Por el contrario, requiere una red de acciones interconectadas. Gracias por dedicar su tiempo a aprender cómo puede contribuir. Si dispone de un terreno amplio, considere la posibilidad de explorar estrategias de gestión de la tierra para la prevención de incendios, y hable con sus vecinos. Quizá se sorprendan al conocer los beneficios a largo plazo de las quemas controladas para restaurar y sanar la tierra.

Un buen punto de partida es ver este vídeo y aprender más sobre lo que se puede esperar de una quema prescrita.
https://youtu.be/F35Nunt7Ons?si=iqcEFv7nUKxIRI6Y

Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor DeepL.com

News

Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion

We are thrilled to announce a partnership with Save the Redwoods League to protect 1,517 acres in the Monte Rio Redwoods, linking over 22,000 acres of conserved land. This acquisition secures Sonoma County’s largest unprotected redwood forest south of the Russian River and expands a regional park. Learn more at https://sonomalandtrust.org/current-initiatives/monte-rio-redwoods-expansion/

Events

We are getting ready for the Green Fondo Climate Ride!

Free Language of the Land Webinars

Climate Change in California

Watch on demand

Climate scientist Dr. Daniel Swain explores what we do and don’t know about climate change in California. We discuss heatwaves, wildfires, and the marine layer—and how impacts in coastal areas may differ from areas farther inland.

WATCH NOW | VER AHORA

Free outings

Join us out in nature this winter! In addition to our monthly bilingual Familias al Aire Libre/Families Outdoors outing, we’re hosting a series of weekend hikes across the county!

Many of these hikes are in partnership with Sonoma County Ag + Open Space.

Staff Recommendation

M.R. deftly weaves her firsthand experience as a prescribed fire practitioner into a broader conversation of the science and cultural history of fire. Powerful, timely, and hopeful.