The Land Trust has been engaged in fuels reduction and prescribed fire efforts across Napa County for over a decade. This includes contributing to developing the Napa County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and actively participating in the ongoing Napa County Pre-Fire Coordinating Group. This group—comprised of CAL FIRE, Napa County Fire, Napa Firewise, and local Fire Safe Councils—works collaboratively to reduce wildfire risk at a county-wide scale.
In addition to this regional work, the Land Trust actively implements fire-adapted land management strategies on its preserves, including:
Controlled Burns
Conducting controlled burns, working with CAL FIRE, to decrease fuel loads and restore habitat.
The Land Trust uses prescribed burns as a proven tool to care for and protect Napa’s most unique landscapes. We’ve completed multiple controlled burns — including on rare serpentine grasslands at our Missimer Preserve — to reduce wildfire fuel, restore native prairie, and support more than 290 plant species, many of them threatened. These carefully planned, science-driven burns help native plants thrive while making surrounding communities safer..
Rotational Grazing
The Land Trust uses managed grazing with goats and sheep to promote healthier, more resilient landscapes and reduce fuel loads.
The effectiveness of this project for wildfire risk mitigation was tested in the LNU Lightning Complex fire of 2020, when a spot fire spread toward our property from a neighbor’s but was stopped by the lack of fuel right at the boundary of our grazed area.
Forest Thinning & Shaded Fuel Breaks
The Land Trust implements forest thinning and shaded fuel breaks to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health.
By selectively removing small trees and dense undergrowth — as we’ve done at places like our Linda Falls and Atena Springs Preserves — we create safer, more resilient woodlands while supporting native biodiversity and protecting surrounding communities. These projects help reduce the likelihood of a high-intensity crown fire that could threaten nearby homes and neighborhoods.
More Wildfire – Prevention and Recovery stories
Support Our Work
Our work is made possible by the generous support of individuals like you. As a community-based nonprofit, we depend on donations—both big and small—to protect the land and legacy of Napa for generations to come. Your contribution is an investment in Napa’s future. Every dollar makes a difference in preserving the beauty and vitality of our community. Join us in making a lasting impact today.
One-timeDonation
Your one-time gift helps protect the land, water, and wildlife that make Napa County extraordinary. Every donation makes a difference—thank you for being part of this important work.
BECOME AMember
When you become a member of the Land Trust, you join a community committed to protecting the land, water, wildlife, and natural beauty of this extraordinary place. Your support helps us permanently safeguard open spaces, working lands, and critical habitats across Napa County.
BECOME A Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the daily work of the Land Trust. More than 100 dedicated individuals help lead hikes, monitor properties, care for preserves, and support fundraising efforts—playing a vital role in protecting Napa County’s natural resources.
