Jim Villeponteaux

Those in NW regional fire safe councils will surely miss a true paragon and partner of conservation endeavors. Jim Villeponteaux of the Salmon River Fire Safe Council and Joint Coordinator of the Fire Safe Council of Siskiyou County passed away October 13th, 2009 after a short but heroic struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Jim was a trend-setter in the northwest, helping to establish one of the first local fire safe councils in Siskiyou County, the Salmon River Restoration Council and the Fire Safe Council of Siskiyou County. A graduate forester of U.C. Berkeley, Jim’s career began more than three decades ago with CALFIRE firefighting and later with the U.S. Forest Service in forest management. He soon centered his career with his company, Salmon River Forestry, for many years. He had a huge heart and spirit of volunteerism, promoting progressive forestry practices with his winning ways. He was a mentor and true friend, a versatile renaissance man who could rebuild computers, run portable sawmills, and lead community Wildfire Protection Plan work teams to success. If adversity or divisiveness appeared, Jim was a masterful bridge builder with his collaborative approaches and deep understanding of the various stakeholder's perspectives. He left an indelible mark of excellence as a part of his legacy in our region. His dedication to sharing information and taking the time to teach others live on in those he taught; he will always be with us. We love you, brother!