A federal wildfire prevention project that includes the Mount Pinos Ranger District in northern Ventura County has been cut by about 85%.

The U.S. Forest Service reduced its Wildfire Risk Reduction Project (WRRP) for Los Padres National Forest from 235,493 acres to 33,023 acres after 91 community organizations objected, the Ventura County Reporter reported. Los Padres National Forest officials announced the decision Oct. 20.

The project's stated goals include enhancing protection of the wildland-urban interface and improving fire and drought resilience, according to the Ventura County Reporter. The scaled-back plan spans portions of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern, Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties.

What the project covers

Crews will use mechanical thinning, piling and burning, weed-whipping and prescribed fire on the remaining 33,023 acres, forest officials said. The Ojai Ranger District is not included because the project is funded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, which does not serve the Ojai area, according to the Ventura County Reporter.

Andrew Madsen, a Los Padres National Forest spokesperson, told the Ventura County Reporter that the agency received extensive public feedback. He said areas around campgrounds may see the most visible changes, while much of the work would occur out of sight to most visitors.

Why it shrank

The project was first proposed in 2022. A coalition of 91 community organizations urged the Forest Service to focus vegetation removal closer to communities, roads, evacuation routes and recreation sites, according to Los Padres ForestWatch. More than 600 public comments were submitted during the review period.

The coalition endorsed a 15,257-acre "Community Alternative" backed by 10 elected leaders, including U.S. Reps. Salud Carbajal and Julia Brownley, California Assemblymember Steve Bennett and state Sen. Monique Limón, the Ventura County Reporter reported.

Benjamin Pitterle, director of advocacy and field operations for Los Padres ForestWatch, told the Ventura County Reporter the coalition produced its own map and principles for the Forest Service. The goal was to place clearing near communities where it protects people while avoiding sensitive habitats, Pitterle said.

Changes and remaining concerns

The revised project eliminated larger tree-removal areas near the coast and concentrated work along existing roads, trails and previously disturbed areas, according to the Ventura County Reporter. Work in roadless areas and critical habitat was reduced but not eliminated.

The Forest Service advanced the project under a federal emergency designation that bypassed a formal objection period, according to both the Ventura County Reporter and Los Padres ForestWatch.

Los Padres ForestWatch officials said they remain concerned about proposed work in sensitive ecological and cultural landscapes. Repeated clearing can damage wildlife habitat, spread invasive grasses and convert native vegetation to flammable weeds, the group said.

Maureen Ellenberger, chair of the Sierra Club Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, called the 85% reduction "a real win for the Los Padres and the people who love it" but said the Forest Service needs to keep crews out of roadless areas and critical habitat.

Work can begin at any time but will likely start in the spring, Madsen told the Ventura County Reporter.