California-Great Basin’s Regional Wildland Fire Coordinator is making a difference
By Michael Burke, Bureau of Reclamation
As the threat of wildfires looms larger each year, the Bureau of Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region is proactively igniting a regional initiative to protect water infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. Leading this effort is John Hutchings, the Regional Wildland Fire Coordinator. With the clear objective to implement a preemptive Wildland Fire Program, Hutchings has set in place proactive measures aimed at mitigating the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
Walking along the thinning foliage of the hillside at Shasta Dam in northern California, Hutchings explains that the major aspect of the Fire Program includes strategic proactive removal of overgrown vegetation. Hutchings emphasizes that his role diverges from traditional fire initiatives; he does not manage a fire suppression force but focuses on watershed and resource management tailored to combat the growing wildfire risk.
Spanning from Shasta County in the north to Kern County in the south, Hutchings implements the Program to mitigate wildland fire risk on Reclamation lands. “What genuinely excites me most about this job is being part of a solution,” Hutchings affirms. Directly related to protecting water and related resources in the interest of the American public, Hutching’s efforts also reflect his passion for public service.
Collaborating with various community partners, including local fire departments, to ensure comprehensive wildfire management, Hutchings highlights the importance of compliance with the Department of the Interior and Reclamation Wildland Fire Policy and Standards. Understanding the fire policy standards, Hutchings ensures that Reclamation is aligned with same standards as other federal land management agencies.
“Although Reclamation is not generally considered a land management bureau, we manage extensive lands in the region, many of which sit within high severity fire zones,” he notes. His work entails thinning and removing fire fuels to create ‘fuel breaks’ that are crucial in reducing fire intensity and spread.
Currently overseeing 17 active fuels reduction projects scattered across several counties, Hutchings remains busy, with seven additional projects in the planning phase. “Our region has lands in the most beautiful parts of the country, and it is so rewarding to work in such diverse landscapes,” he shared.
Hutchings’s work plays a pivotal role in carrying out Reclamation’s mission. The 2018 Carr Fire, for instance, disrupted river operations, water deliveries, and recreation areas, leading to costly repercussions for Reclamation. The 2018 Thomas Fire prompted over $10 million in suppression costs alone, along with severe post-fire environmental impacts.
“Fires are becoming more aggressive, more intense,” Hutchings warns. “The hope is to enhance suppression response by strategically reducing the quantity of vegetation on the landscape.”
Expressing a newfound passion for his calling, Hutchings emphasizes the significance of his work in protecting communities from wildfires. “Getting to work with homeowners, fire departments, and neighborhood groups has made me feel like I’m a part of each community,” he said. “My job stimulates me, motivates me, and challenges me. I absolutely love what I do.”
As California faces an ongoing wildfire crisis, Hutchings’s work embodies a proactive approach to wildfire management, ensuring that communities and ecosystems are more resilient in the face of potentially devastating flames.
