CAL FIRE Nevada Yuba Placer Unit Chief Reflects on His Passion for Creativity and Service



In this latest episode of CAL FIRE Calling, discover how artistry and emergency response go hand in hand—and how a passion for service and the arts took Unit Chief Brian Estes of CAL FIRE’s Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (NEU) to be involved in protecting California’s communities. 

Building California's Future Firefighting Workforce

CAL FIRE’s Business and Workforce Development grants program continue to support organizations that are investing in clean technology, innovative wood product development, and workforce growth across California. Take this project with Reedley College in Fresno County for example. With funding from a CAL FIRE Business and Workforce Development grant, Reedley College’s Integrated Fuels Program is training the next generation of wildland firefighters with an innovative hands-on approach. 

Honoring Indigenous Fire Knowledge, How We Assists Cultural Burning for Wildfire Resilience 

For millennia, California Indigenous communities have used cultural burning to manage forests, reduce wildfire risk, and restore ecosystems. In partnership with the Barona Reservation, CAL FIRE is supporting these traditional fire practices. Projects such as this one are a great example of how CAL FIRE is working with tribal partners across the state to increase the pace and scale of forest health and fuels reduction projects. Learn more about California’s plan for expanding the use of beneficial fire by following the link below. 

Collaboration is Key on this Beneficial Fire Project in Truckee

Improving the health and resilience of California's forests is a huge task and collaboration is the key to success. The Waddle Ranch Vegetation Treatment Project in Truckee, for example, required local, state and private landowner support. CAL FIRE’s relationships with our local, state, and federal partners is key to ensuring a more fire resilient future for our state. 

CAL FIRE Conducts Defensible Space Treatment for Community Protection in Colfax

Take a glimpse at the Mt. Howell Vegetation Management Project in Placer County. Fire crews from CAL FIRE and the Placer County Fire Department treated about nine acres to provide defensible space near the fire lookout and telecommunications structure in Colfax. Maintenance projects such as these demonstrate that wildfire resilience is an ongoing effort with returning fuels reduction efforts required year after year.