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March 12, 2026 – Mariposa Fire Safe Council officials announce progress at the Stumpfield Mountain Road Fuel Break Maintenance Project.

Progress continues behind the scenes on the Stumpfield Mountain Road Fuel Break Maintenance Project.

Last Friday was a productive day of coordination as we continue getting all of our ducks in a row to move this project forward. We met with representatives from Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation to begin the cultural survey process, and also spent time in discussion with a CAL FIRE forester and the Mariposa Resource Conservation District as we prepare the final pieces of paperwork needed to complete our grant application for continued maintenance of this important fuel break.

Fuel breaks only work when they are maintained. This particular stretch along Stumpfield Mountain Road plays a significant role in tying together several other fuel reduction projects across the landscape. Maintaining it helps strengthen the larger network of strategic fuel breaks that protect communities throughout Mariposa County and our sister county, Madera County.

This area also runs through the historic Harlow Fire burn scar near Ahwahnee, right near our county line. That history is a reminder of why this work matters. When we maintain these strategic corridors, we are not just clearing vegetation. We are strengthening firefighter access, slowing potential fire spread, and reinforcing the protective network that helps safeguard communities on both sides of the county line.

A lot of the most important work happens long before equipment ever touches the ground. Coordination, cultural consultation, environmental review, and proper documentation are all part of doing these projects the right way.

Step by step, we are making sure everything is in place so we can continue maintaining this critical piece of our regional wildfire protection network and ensure history does not repeat itself.

View video here.

Source & photo: Mariposa Fire Safe Council