News

Updates, stories, and announcements from YWI.

A machine pile fully involved in orange flame on Day 1 of the 'Inimim pile burn

Featured

Fire on the Ridge: The 'Inimim Pile Burn

After weeks of waiting for a weather window, a crew from Terra Fuego, the BLM, and Yuba Watershed Institute put fire on roughly 250 acres of machine piles in the 'Inimim Forest over two long days in spring. A photo and video story of how it went.

Project Updates · April 9, 2026

South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project treatment area on San Juan Ridge

Procurement · May 29, 2026

Request for Proposals: Qualified Biologist Services — South Yuba Rim Phase 2

YWI is seeking a qualified biologist or ecological consulting firm to conduct focused special-status species surveys, compliance monitoring, and reporting for the 232-acre South Yuba Rim Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project (Phase 2). Questions are due June 15 and proposals are due July 1, 2026.

Treated forest stand in the Little Deer Creek project area after fuel reduction work

Project Updates · April 28, 2026

Little Deer Creek: Treatments Complete, Grant Closing Out

After more than two years of planning, contracting, and on-the-ground work, fuel reduction treatments are complete across the Little Deer Creek Landscape Resilience Project. A milestone update from the project team.

Thinned 'Inimim Forest stand on San Juan Ridge showing more open structure and light reaching the forest floor

Project Updates · April 27, 2026

'Inimim Forest Phase 3: Spring 2026 Project Update

The project has treated 292.8 acres on San Juan Ridge, completed a major slash pile burn, and is on track to wrap up by Spring 2027. Here's where things stand heading into the new season.

Flyer for Little Deer Creek Spring Field Tours showing before and after photos of forest fuel reduction treatments

Events · March 18, 2026

Spring Field Tours: See the Little Deer Creek Landscape Resilience Project

Join us in April for a guided walk through 205 treated acres in the Nevada City/Banner Mountain area. See the results of two years of hand and mechanical thinning, check on native understory regrowth, and discuss the ecological and fire-resilience impacts of the work.

Mountain lion cubs captured on a trail camera in the Yuba watershed

Watershed & Wildlife · March 11, 2026

Explore the Watershed: New Wildlife Video and Trail Camera Gallery

We've added a western pond turtle video and an expanded trail camera gallery to the Watershed Wildlife page — 47 candid photos and videos of the animals that share this landscape.

Forestry crew conducting forest thinning operations with a wood chipper in pine forest

Press Releases · March 10, 2026

Yuba Watershed Institute Secures Over $2 Million for Wildfire Prevention across South Yuba Canyon

YWI secured two state grants totaling over $2 million to treat nearly 430 acres on both rims of the South Yuba River canyon and reduce wildfire risk for Nevada County communities.

Goats grazing in a forested fuel break at Round Mountain

Project Updates · October 1, 2025

Goats for Good: Defending Greater Nevada City

Over 200 goats will maintain the Round Mountain shaded fuel break—reducing wildfire risk and protecting our communities in the Nevada City area.

A firefighter in yellow hard hat monitors small ground fires burning through an open mixed-conifer forest during a prescribed burn

Events · June 3, 2026

YFN Summer Field Tour: Broadcast Burn Units

The Yuba Forest Network is hosting a free, all-day field tour on June 24 — an on-the-ground look at two active prescribed fire projects along the South Yuba River. Visit broadcast burn units, hear from project leads, and explore the landscape-scale strategies behind the work.

Procurement · October 17, 2025

Notice of Intent to Award: Inimim Forest Phase 3

YWI intends to award the contract for the Inimim Forest Restoration Project – Phase 3 Timber Harvest, advancing landscape-scale forest resilience in Nevada County.