VRFSC Newsletter July 2025

Photo by Kevin Mason, Ventura County Resource Conservation District

The Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) conducted two prescribed burns in June, to achieve ecological outcomes at properties near Casitas Springs. At the Steelhead Preserve, in the care of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, 28 acres were allocated for treatment by prescribed fire. At Nye Ranch, 20 acres were allocated for treatment by prescribed fire. The PBA, through partnership with the Ventura County Resource Conservation District, the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, has been able to study these burns on the efficacy of their intended effect.

In both burns, the intention was to reduce the germination of invasive Yellow Star-Thistle, which has been extremely pervasive at both properties. * Studies have indicated that prescribed fire, applied properly and timed well, can reduce the Yellow Star Thistles capability of seeding.

Photo by Mason Thurmond, VRFSC

Also, over three repeated treatments, prescribed fire significantly reduced its presence and capability of outcompeting our native species. In both burns, a tremendous cooperative effort from numerous partner agencies provided essential resources to complete the target objectives in a coordinated manner. These include: CAL FIRE, the Ventura County Fire Department, the California Conservation Corps, the Ventura City Fire Department, the National Parks Service, the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority, and the Bell Canyon Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to the ecological objective of reducing Yellow Star-thistle on both properties, these burns provided excellent opportunities for both the VC PBA volunteers and agency professionals to train, gain experience, and practice working with one another to accomplish these complex projects. Although the Nye Ranch prescribed burn was fully completed, the Steelhead Reserve prescribed burn was only partially completed due to weather conditions changing.

* Source Material

Prescribed burns help control invasive weed, fire risk in Bidwell Park

North State Public Radio | By Erik Adams

Fire Controls Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) in California Grasslands. by Marla S. Hastings and Joseph M. DiTomaso

Join us for a workshop where we aim to explain how EVERYONE has a role in preparing for wildfires. New Zone 0 regulations have been enacted and more will be coming soon for folks in specific Fire Hazard Severity Zones. At these workshops, you will learn about general home hardening, what "Zone 0" means, and if it applies to you.

You’re Invited: Wildfire Resilience Workshop Series, Share Your Voice!

Click the flyer below to open PDF in English and Spanish.

You’re invited to join the Wildfire Regional Priority Projects Workshop Series, hosted by Ventura County Resource Conservation District. These community-focused workshops are designed to foster collaboration and gather input on wildfire resilience efforts across our region.

Food and drinks provided!

These sessions are a great opportunity to learn about local fire resilience initiatives, share your insights and priorities, and help shape the Regional Priority Plan! Workshop details, including date/time, RSPV information, and an additional survey can be found in the flyer attached to this email.



Your voice matters in building a safer, more resilient Ventura County. We hope to see you there!

From Edison International Subsidiary, SCE:

Support VRFSC Programs and make a direct impact in Ventura County!