Rock Creek
Lassen County, CA
Size
160 Acres
Land Ownership
US Forest Service
Status
Completed
Partners
US Forest Service
Project Overview
The Rock Creek Mothball Project focused on reducing hazardous fuels within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), where forested lands meet residential areas. Located within two key ranger districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, this 160-acre project aimed to improve forest structure, restore ecological balance, and reduce the threat of high-intensity wildfire.
Treatments included hand thinning, piling of slash, and the construction of strategic firelines. This work was designed not only to remove immediate fuel buildup, but also to create long-term forest conditions that allow for the natural role of fire and other ecological processes to return without posing risks to nearby communities.
Insect-infested and diseased trees, including those affected by dwarf mistletoe and mountain pine beetle, were removed to promote healthier, more resilient stands. These efforts are essential in Colorado’s fire-adapted ecosystems, where decades of suppression, drought, and pest outbreaks have led to dangerously dense forest conditions.
Our Role
Stewardship West was responsible for on-the-ground implementation, including hand thinning, piling, and fireline construction. Our team carefully removed hazardous trees and brush while maintaining the ecological integrity of the site. We supported forest health goals by targeting insect and disease-affected trees and opening the canopy to reduce competition and fuel loads.
By contributing to this effort, we helped increase fire resilience in a high-risk zone, supported long-term ecosystem function, and created safer buffer areas between wildland and community infrastructure.
