The Watershed Research and Training Center

10/24/2026

Hello Hayfork Residents,

We had such a wonderful burn yesterday afternoon in the Cedar Gulch area of western Hayfork. The rain we received on Wednesday/Thursday opened up a beautiful oak woodland burn window.

Today and Sunday, 10/24 and 10/25, we plan to continue burning in Cedar Gulch, western Hayfork. Smoke will be visible from Hyampom Road and Hwy 3, with ignitions starting after 12:00 pm each day.

The team has acquired air quality permits from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District and LE7 permits from CAL FIRE.

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

CAL FIRE
California Climate Investments

10/22/2026

Hello Hayfork Residents,

The burn from yesterday is looking beautiful! It was a wonderful patchy mosaic.

Tomorrow, Friday 10/23, we plan to burn in Cedar Gulch, western Hayfork. Smoke will be visible from Hyampom Road and Hwy 3, with ignitions starting after 2:00 pm.

We plan to continue burning in the Cedar Gulch area Saturday (10/24) and Sunday (10/25), with ignitions starting after 11:00 am over the weekend.

The team has acquired air quality permits from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District and LE7 permits from CAL FIRE.

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

CAL FIRE
California Climate Investments

10/22/2026

Hello Hayfork Residents,

A big thank you to the burn team today. Everyone did a GREAT job adapting to changing weather conditions. The rain started right as the test fire was lit. The grass, oak and pine leaves within our burn unit were not flammable, but we got all of the large logs and some of the masticated wood burned today - check out the photos. A worthwhile endeavor!

Tomorrow, Thursday 10/22, are a expected wet conditions, and we will be patrolling the unit from today. Pending a favorable forecast for Friday, we plan to be back out at the same location off Hwy 3 near Big Creek on Friday to finish the burn. We will update the community tomorrow with the plan for Friday.

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

CAL FIRE
California Climate Investments

10/20/2026

Hello Hayfork Residents,

Tomorrow, Wednesday 10/21, we plan to burn near Hwy 3 and Big Creek. Smoke will be visible from Hwy 3, Big Creek and the Hayfork Discount parking area, with ignitions starting after 10:00 am. On Thursday, if weather conditions are favorable, we will continue to burn in the same location. We will update the community each day we are burning.

The team has acquired air quality permits from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District and LE7 permits from CAL FIRE.

Thanks for the support as we use beneficial fire for ecosystem health and community resiliency. Here are some photos of fire effects in the oak woodland from yesterday’s unit.

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

CAL FIRE
California Climate Investments

10/19/2026

Hello Hayfork Residents,

We had a great burn today in Hayfork. The team accomplished 50 acres in pasture and oak woodland. Tomorrow, Tuesday 10/20, we are anticipating stronger easterly winds, so we will not be burning tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be patrolling today’s unit and we will continue prepping our next burn units. We will continue to update the community with plans for burning through the week.

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

CAL FIRE
California Climate Investments

10/18/2026

Hello Hayfork Residents,

The Watershed Center is hosting an All Hands All Lands Cooperative Burn Month! When weather and fuel conditions align, we are coming together with the Trinity Integrated Fire Management Partnership and partners throughout the state to conduct prescribed burns. Our first opportunity for burning is this Monday in Hayfork. We may continue to burn through the week pending favorable weather conditions.

On Monday, 10/19, pending favorable weather conditions, burning will take place off Big Creek Road. Smoke will be visible from Hwy 3 and Big Creek Rd, with ignitions starting after 10 am. We will monitor for adequate smoke dispersion throughout the duration of the burn.

We will continue to update the community with plans for burning each day. The team has acquired air quality permits from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District and LE7 permits from CAL FIRE. Prescribed fire is a critical tool in our land management toolbox. We appreciate your support!

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program.

CAL FIRE
California Climate Investments

10/07/2026

The Watershed Research and Training Center is thrilled to announce the 11th Annual Hyampom Salmon Gathering. The date is quickly approaching, and we’re excited to share what’s in store. Join us for salmon education, community connection, and a shared potluck meal! 🐟

Questions? Contact Mary St. John ([email protected])

Funded by Klamath River Fund: Community Impact Grant 2025/2026 a program of the Humboldt Area Foundation + Wild Rivers
Community Foundation.

10/05/2026

Hey Coffee Creek! The Forestry & Fuels Program at the Watershed Center is recruiting certain residents and landowners within a priority project area of Coffee Creek to begin the environmental compliance process in order to offer future fuels reduction treatments for private property at no cost. To learn more and participate in the initial step, please visit the link below!

Reducing hazardous fuels and improving forest health are key objectives of the Forestry and Fuels Program. To this end, we provide a full range of forest management services from planning to implementation.

09/29/2026

Meet Bridger Cohan, Meadow Restoration Specialist with WRTC! Here, Bridger stands in a shady creek spot to tell us about the fulfillment he feels restoring, rejuvenating, and rehabilitating meadow habitats.

09/21/2026

Meet, Allison Cofield, Fish Biologist at WRTC! Here, Allison stands by a burbling creek to share with us the thrill of working in the water and the satisfaction of working with dedicated, passionate natural resource managers.