The forested landscape of the Sonoma coast is characterized by overly dense timber stands and excess fuel loading. This area was damaged by wildfires in 54, 65, 78, and 2020. Following the 1978 Creighton Ridge Fire, approximately 200 acres of Ponderosa and Coulter Pines were planted, funded by the State of CA. The concept was to establish a forest of ponderosa pine to serve as ‘nurse trees’ to allow Douglas fir and redwood trees to fill in, allowing for removal of the pines. There has been little management and the pine stands are about 40 years old and still growing densely, rendering them vulnerable to wildfire and threatening the safety of communities and natural and cultural resources.