As the 2021 California wildfires are outpacing the disastrous 2020 season, the Bureau of Reclamation made efforts to stop the flames by creating a shaded fuel break in June.

Partnering with the California Conservation Corps and the Cool-Pilot Hill Fire Safe Council, the Bureau of Reclamation began its shaded fuel break efforts on June 21 by placing it between Auburn State Recreation Area and the Northside Elementary School in a small community in El Dorado County called Cool.

Designed by cutting and trimming large shrubs and smaller trees, the shaded fuel break is then crafted by chipping that material on site.

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The Bureau of Reclamation's partnership with the California Conservation Corps focuses on fuel break work on federal lands adjacent to where county development has taken place and Fire Safe Councils are identified.

A Bureau of Reclamation press release stated that "Towns, neighborhood communities, and other infrastructure adjacent to the Auburn State Recreation Area are evaluated for fire prevention and protection, environmental conservation, land maintenance, and emergency response to natural disasters."

The Bureau of Reclamation manages and administers the shaded fuel project and project activities are completed by California Conservation Corps crew members.

A shaded fuel break combats the intensity of fire by lowering the amount of vegetation that could burn. As it decreases the undergrowth, it prevents the fire from quickly moving to the trees. By slowing down the fire's spread, the shaded fuel break offers a safe haven for fire crews, engines and aircraft where they can access and suppress a fire in a safer manner.

By placing the shaded fuel break by the Northside Elementary School, it will enhance fire prevention outreach for the Cool-Pilot Hill Fire Safe Council as local businesses address the "Cool Means Business" project to highlight fire prevention.