Volunteers Wanted! Community Wildfire Protection Plan + Citizen Science Program Starts May 2026

Our community is working together to better understand the forests, fire risks, and resilience of Cobb Mountain.

Through the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and a new Citizen Science Volunteer Program, residents will help gather on-the-ground information about forest conditions and fire hazards.

This collective knowledge will help our community:

• Identify the greatest wildfire risks

• Connect neighbors with existing fire resilience resources

• Support fire mitigation efforts

• Strengthen coordination between community groups

Together, we can move from understanding risk → to taking action.

What Volunteers Will Do

Participants will work in small teams to help:

• Survey forest conditions and wildfire hazards

• Map areas with ladder fuels and fire vulnerability

• Help build a detailed portrait of Cobb Mountain forest health

• Contribute data that supports community mitigation planning

This information will help our community prioritize mitigation projects and resources where they are most needed.

What You’ll Learn

Volunteers will receive training from local forest ecologists and community leaders. Topics include:

• 🌲 Cobb Mountain forest ecology

• 🔥 Fire behavior and ladder fuels

• 📍 Field survey techniques

• 📊 Community wildfire resilience planning

Program Details:

• Training Provided. No prior experience needed.

• Volunteers will survey the forest in small teams.

• Time Commitment: 1 half Saturday every two months for 18 months. Starting May 2026. 

This program welcomes:

• Long-time residents

• New community members

• Property owners

• Anyone interested in forest health and wildfire resilience

This is also a chance for new residents to connect with the community's history and knowledge, and to hear stories from locals about past fires and recovery.

To Participate: 

📧 Email to volunteer: jessyca@sscra.orgLearn More at https://www.sscra.org/cwpp-volunteer-program

---

SSCRA to serve Cobb Area Watershed

SSCRA has been awarded a grant by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) for a second round of our Cobb Watershed Education and Restoration Program (WERP). The grant has been approved as part of the efforts of the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake, a multi-year, multi-million dollar effort to restore Clear Lake to a condition fully supportive of the economic and environmental health of the County. 

The first round of the WERP program, 2022-2024, offered a series of six Tribally-led workshops to the local community presenting an in depth exploration of the issues facing the creeks that originate on Cobb Mt. and flow down to the Lake, affecting Lake water quality. 

The next round of the Cobb WERP will run from 2026-2027 and offer a series of seven workshops focussing on key stretches of Upper Kelsey Creek and will continue to build partnerships with local Tribes whose ancestral lands included the Cobb Mt. Area - particularly the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, both of which tribes have deep understanding of the "Traditional Ecological Knowledge" (TEK) pertinent to sustainable stewardship of these critical riparian (watercourse) lands. Other key partners in the program will be major creekside land owners in the area.

The program will also offer an opportunity for the general public to participate in creek restoration activities, including removing invasive species, planting native species, stabilizing creek banks using techniques that synthesize the best riparian science and TEK. 

For more information see the SSCRA website WERP page. If you would like to be kept abreast of upcoming workshop dates, click here  and click on the WERP button at the bottom of the contact form.

---

Community Update: SSCRA Secures Strategic PG&E Grant

The Seigler Springs Community Redevelopment Association (SSCRA) is proud to announce a deepened partnership with PG&E Vegetation Management. This grant directly supports the proactive work of our Loch Lomond and Seigler Springs Firewise Communities, funding critical fuel reduction for the Loch Lomond, Seigler Springs, and Perini Road subdivisions.

While the project areas total only 17.8 acres, their strategic locations begin a massive safety ripple effect for our entire area.

The Project Scope

We are targeting two high-priority "anchor points" to harden our community's defenses:

1. Loch Lomond Firebreaks (LLFC): Maintenance and expansion of existing breaks at the north end.

2. Perini Road: Intensive fuel reduction at the southern end to begin a clear emergency route into Seigler Canyon Road.

   
   

Why This Matters: By the Numbers

• Immediate defense for 3 neighborhoods. This grant funds fire-safety work within the grant area while addressing the two most vulnerable transit points for the Loch Lomond, Seigler Springs, and Perini Road neighborhoods. By clearing these areas, we provide an immediate layer of defense for residents and ensure a protected lifeline for the local vehicles that rely on these routes daily while continuing our commitment to the long-term stewardship of these vital lands.

• Critical PG&E Assets: Safeguarding distribution lines to prevent fire-related outages and infrastructure damage.

• Highway 175 Safety: By securing these two transit points, we protect a vital artery used by over a thousand daily travelers and emergency responders as well as maintaining access to the broader region.

• Preserving Ecosystem Resilience: By clearing smaller fuels now, we prevent "crown fires" that destroy the canopy and sterilize the soil, protecting our soil health and local watershed from long-term damage. 

  
  

We expect to have crews on the ground shortly after the final agreement is signed.