California Pines Firewise

In spring 2025, the California Pines Hill Unit achieved Firewise USA® recognition, marking a milestone in their dedication to wildfire safety. The California Pines Property Owners Association provided strong support throughout the year, helping ensure the success of every event.

On May 3, the community gathered at the Deer Springs Fire Department with representatives from CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Office of Emergency Services, and the Modoc Fire Safe Council (MFSC). Together, these partners delivered presentations on the importance of preventive action, underscoring how collaborative efforts reduce risk and strengthen preparedness across Modoc County.

Later that month, on May 23, residents joined CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, the California Pines Fire Department, MFSC, and fellow neighbors for a community clean‑up. Volunteers worked side‑by‑side to assist an elderly resident create defensible space and clear overgrown vegetation around Rainbow Pond, demonstrating how local action can make a meaningful difference in protecting homes and landscapes.

On October 17, MFSC and CAL FIRE hosted a Prescribed Fire Workshop highlighting the benefits of controlled burning. CAL FIRE led demonstrations of both pile burning and understory burning, showing how prescribed fire can be a valuable tool for forest health and risk reduction. 

By the end of the year, both the Cal Pines Hill Unit and the Cal Pines Lower Unit were recognized as Firewise USA® sites, reflecting the community’s growing commitment to wildfire preparedness and resilience.

A group meets in a garage-like setting, with a uniformed officer and attendees seated around tables, listening to a speaker.
Residents and agency partners discussing Firewise preventive actions.
A group meeting discussing fire safety with a speaker and audience seated, in a garage-like setting with equipment nearby.
Residents and agency partners discussing Firewise preventive actions.
The image shows a yellow house with multiple windows, a large tree nearby, and a red truck in the background.
Volunteers assisting an elderly resident with home clean‑up.
A person carrying a tree branch on a dirt road surrounded by parked vehicles and tall pine trees under a blue sky.
Community members and agency crews working together at Rainbow Pond.
A group of people, including firefighters, pose together in front of a red fire truck in a forested area.
Community members and agency crews working together at Rainbow Pond.
A person discusses a controlled burn in a forest, while another person observes the smoke and flames nearby.
Understory burn demonstration highlighting forest health benefits.
A controlled burn with flames and smoke surrounded by trees and parked vehicles in a forested area.
CAL FIRE demonstrating pile burning techniques.
A group of people standing in a forest, listening to a speaker, likely engaged in a training or informational session.
Understory burn demonstration highlighting forest health benefits.
A group of people stands in a forest, listening to someone speaking, surrounded by tall pine trees and a clear sky.
Understory burn demonstration highlighting forest health benefits.
A group meets in a garage-like setting, with a uniformed officer and attendees seated around tables, listening to a speaker.
A group meeting discussing fire safety with a speaker and audience seated, in a garage-like setting with equipment nearby.
The image shows a yellow house with multiple windows, a large tree nearby, and a red truck in the background.
A person carrying a tree branch on a dirt road surrounded by parked vehicles and tall pine trees under a blue sky.
A group of people, including firefighters, pose together in front of a red fire truck in a forested area.
A person discusses a controlled burn in a forest, while another person observes the smoke and flames nearby.
A controlled burn with flames and smoke surrounded by trees and parked vehicles in a forested area.
A group of people standing in a forest, listening to a speaker, likely engaged in a training or informational session.
A group of people stands in a forest, listening to someone speaking, surrounded by tall pine trees and a clear sky.