Envisioned by Dan Efseaff, District Manager of the Paradise Recreation and Park District, the goal of this project is essentially to create a firebreak around Butte Creek Canyon, the Ridge, and the Concow Basin by connecting parcels of managed open space. This space consists of trails, parks, and donated and purchased lots.

“Our vision is to build a buffer around the entire community,” said Efseaff in a recent interview. “It’s fire risk reduction from a community standpoint.” 

Management of the space would ensure trees are farther apart with less fire-prone brush. “This idea,” noted Lindsay Smith in a recent BBC article, “represents a novel approach to recovering from a wildfire, one that focuses not simply on ‘getting back to normal’ as quickly as possible, but that imagines a new normal.”

In addition to reducing the risk from wildfires, this fire break buffer will also provide open space for the public to enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, and agricultural uses.  In addition, the buffer could also be an extra evacuation route or staging area for firefighters.  

Learn more about the project here.