About the North Central Valley Fire Management Zone

The California North Central Valley Fire Management Zone is headquartered at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Willows, California. The program provides fire management services for the Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Stone Lakes NWR Red Bluff Field Office, Coleman National Fish Hatchery (NFH) and Livingston Stone NFH. The fire program emphasizes fire suppression, prevention, hazardous fuels reduction and prescribed fire.

The Zone's fire management mission is to provide a team approach to safe, efficient, and professional fire management program while protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat.

The Sacramento NWR Complex Fire Management Staff is stationed at the Sacramento NWR. The staff includes: Fire Management Officer, Assistant Fire Management Officer, Station Managers (2) Fire Engine Operators (2), Lead Firefighters (2) and Temporary Firefighters (2).

The fire program operates with two Type-3 engines, one Type-6 fire engine and one water tender. The fire staff participates on interagency incident management teams, refuge fire responses, off-unit assignments across the Nation, interagency prescribed fire operations and interagency training assignments. The zone treats an average of 1,200 to 1,800 acres a year for range of resource objectives including hazardous fuels reduction, community protection and habitat enhancement.

The fire staff is augmented by a strong contingent of collateral duty fire qualified personnel. Approximately 15 staff members from biologists, law enforcement, equipment operators and refuge managers assist with wildfire support and prescribed fire operations.

How to Contact Us

Mailing address:
752 County Road 99 W
Willows, CA 95988

Phone: 530-934-2801
FAX: 530-934-7814

Dale Shipplehoute, Zone Fire Management Officer
Phone: 530-934-2801
Dale_Shipplehoute@fws.gov

Kipp Morril, Assistant Fire Management Officer
Phone: 530-934-2801
Kipp_Morril@fws.gov

Sacramento NWRC Fire Program

Sacramento NWRC Junior Refuge Firefighter Program (3.52MB PDF)

Fire project video (YouTube)

Fire Photos

Google Maps fire project tour

Zone refuge property boundaries (kml)

Download the above video describing the prescribed burn at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Visit individual refuge and field office websites located within the Zone by clicking on icons listed on the map.