Stevens Village Fuels Reduction Project

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The intent of this 50 acre fuels reduction project is to reduce the risk of wildland fire spreading from public lands (Yukon Flats NWR) to neighboring private lands (owned by the Stevens Village IRA Council). Dense, continuous stands of highly flammable black spruce exist on nearby Refuge lands and extend onto nearby private lands. Crown closure estimates in this black spruce stand are 40-60%. Stevens Village is situated on a bend of the Yukon River in north central interior Alaska. The village is located on the slightly elevated north side the Yukon River. Stevens Village has a summer population of approximately 60-80 people. Stevens Village rests at the edge of broad expanse of lowlands known as the Yukon Flats. Stevens Village is identified as a community at risk from wildland fires that may originate on federal lands. Some 40 residences have been constructed in the riparian zone in a bend of the Yukon River 27 miles upstream of the Yukon River Bridge. Access to the area is by air or river travel. Village lands are adjacent to the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge and are bordered to the north by hilly country with dense continuous stands of highly flammable black spruce/feather moss. In addition, regenerating young white spruce fuels are prevalent in the area.

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