Community Projects
2026 IMPROVED RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT
Because of the steep terrain of our response area, the Whale Gulch VFC has struggled with clear communications on the radio in certain “dead zones” within our response area. In 2026, we are working alongside Silke Communications to install a “hybrid repeater” using a mobile radio unit located at the top of Swift Peak. We have received funding through the Mendocino Fire Safe Council to pay for the equipment. We are currently seeking additional funding to pay for the labor costs and fuel reduction.
2023 Snowstorm Disaster
On 2/21/23 a severe snowstorm hit this coastal area where even a few inches of snow is unusual. Over three days 2-6 feet of snow fell causing the breakage and falling of thousands of trees, devastating the Whale Gulch Community, blocking all public and private roadways as well as routes to residents water sources, storage tanks and systems. By 2025, with the leadership of Syreeta Beckert Cox, our CFO, we were able to apply and receive grant funding through the Grace US Foundation to pay our local Whale Gulch Fuel Reduction Crew to clear the rest of the fuels as well as reimburse community members that used their own equipment and time to clear the roads.
Whale Gulch Fuel Reduction Crew
The Whale Gulch Fuel Reduction Crew began in 2020 during Covid 19 as a possible Covid-safe and local job to do during lockdown. After doing some research with other fuel reduction crews and insurance, we created a crew to serve our local community out of the WGVFC. We started out as a crew that could be hired by local residents and then we began working with the Mendocino Fire Safe Council who has been a large support of our fuel reduction projects. The Mendocino Fire Safe Council has a Defensible Assistance for Income Eligible (DSAFIE) program that provides fuel reduction for residents that apply and they also support our Whale Gulch Fuel Reduction Crew to provide at least one Chipper Day a year for residents that are on the list.
Also, thanks to grant support, the Whale Gulch Fuel Reduction Crew now has a chipper and a splitter to rent out to community members that make a request.
This program has been successful in creating jobs for our local fire volunteers, creating defensible space for our residents, clearing fuels along access roads, clearing fuels after a natural disaster, and keeping our community fire resilient.
