Kyle Herron and the Lassen Fire Safe Council: Allegations of Unlicensed Pesticide Advising and Institutional Concealment
Table of Contents
Kyle Herron served as Project Coordinator for the Lassen Fire Safe Council (LFSC) from at least 2023 through 2025. During that time, he allegedly engaged in pesticide advising, issued chemical mixture recommendations, and oversaw vegetation treatment plans for private properties and CEQA-governed projects — all prior to receiving a valid Pest Control Adviser (PCA) license. California law requires a PCA license for anyone providing site-specific pesticide guidance. Herron’s license (PCA #169147) was not issued until March 11, 2025, yet multiple documents and communications suggest he was already performing regulated duties well before that date.
Documented Allegations
On February 20, 2025, Herron emailed a landowner a detailed chemical recipe including specific products (Cleantraxx, Velossa, Element 3A) and precise mixture percentages for vegetation treatment — activity that falls under California’s legal definition of pesticide advising.
In the same email, he stated: “The mix that we have been using across most landowners in your area is 3% Cleantraxx, 3% Velossa, 3% Element 3A, 1% MSO, and 0.5% Blue Dye for the initial site prep application.” He also described it as his “go-to combination,” offered to tailor it based on landowner preferences, and indicated he would personally inspect vegetation on site. This not only appears to constitute site-specific pesticide advising, but also may suggest that similar recommendations were allegedly given to multiple landowners across LFSC project sites before he was licensed.
Each of these interactions may represent a separate violation of California Food and Agricultural Code section 12001. Under section 12999.5, each unlicensed act of pest control advising is subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. CDPR must investigate each potential instance of unlicensed activity and determine the full extent of the violations.
Has Kyle Herron of LFSC spoke with you about Herbicides prior to March 11th 2025?
Lassen Fire Safe Council Leadership Cade Mohler and Ruth Morentz Allegedly Knew — And Failed to Act
According to submitted records, LFSC leadership was allegedly aware that Herron was engaged in regulated pesticide advising prior to his licensure. The letter to CDPR, signed by Executive Director Cade Mohler, acknowledges Herron’s involvement in chemical coordination during the unlicensed period. Board Chair Ruth Morentz was also copied on multiple communications raising these concerns but has not publicly responded or produced documentation to refute the allegations.
When asked directly in early March 2025 whether Herron was licensed, Mohler declined to provide a clear answer. One day later, CDPR issued Herron a PCA license. This timing has raised concerns of administrative irregularities or damage control, though this is still under investigation.
Oversight Allegations Involving Lassen County
The LFSC verification letter also claims Herron was “inspected by the Lassen County Agricultural Department” during the period in which he was unlicensed. If true, this would raise concerns about the failure of county regulators to detect or act on unlicensed pesticide activity. Whether this constitutes negligence or systemic oversight failure is a matter for regulatory review for the CDPR.
Environmental and Legal Concerns
Herron allegedly advised on the use of chemicals with well-known risks, including glyphosate (a probable human carcinogen), triclopyr (toxic to amphibians and mammals), and hexazinone (a groundwater contaminant). In communications, Herron reportedly told one landowner these chemicals were “not dangerous.”
Each alleged instance of unlicensed pesticide advising may constitute a violation of California Food and Agricultural Code section 12001. Civil penalties may apply under section 12999.5. If LFSC leadership knowingly permitted unlicensed activity or failed to disclose it to CDPR, they could face administrative or legal scrutiny. Allegations of concealment could rise to the level of civil fraud or conspiracy if proven.
Institutional Accountability Demanded
The allegations surrounding Herron’s conduct point to potential broader issues within LFSC’s operations. As a nonprofit that receives public funding, LFSC is expected to comply with pesticide laws, CEQA regulations, and public transparency requirements. The following questions remain:
- Did LFSC leadership under Director Cade Mohler and Board Chair Ruth Morentz knowingly allow Herron to act as a PCA before he was licensed?
- Was the issuance of Herron’s license influenced by the public inquiry submitted on March 10, 2025?
- Why has the Lassen County Agricultural Department not addressed these allegations publicly?
- How many landowners may have been advised without proper disclosure or legal compliance?
Public Requests for Action
Protect Lassen calls on LFSC to take the following steps in light of these allegations:
- Acknowledge whether Kyle Herron performed pesticide advising without a license.
- Identify and disclose all projects he was involved with prior to March 11, 2025.
- Notify landowners and public agencies if unlicensed chemical recommendations were used.
- Review and correct any CEQA or grant documentation that may have relied on unlicensed input.
- Cooperate with CDPR and any agency investigations to ensure transparency and accountability.
Conclusion
The situation involving Kyle Herron and LFSC has raised serious concerns about unlicensed pesticide activity, lack of regulatory oversight, and the potential misuse of public funds. While these are currently allegations, the volume and specificity of the evidence call for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Protect Lassen urges CDPR, the Lassen County Agricultural Department, and other regulatory bodies to take appropriate action to determine whether violations occurred and, if so, to enforce the law.
Supporting Documents
Unlike the Lassen Fire Safe Council — which claims to be a “community-based, grassroots organization” — Protect Lassen believes in full transparency. That’s why we’re sharing the documents directly.
The following records form the basis of the allegations outlined above. All documents are available for download and public review:
- February 20, 2025 Email from Kyle Herron — Recommends specific herbicide mixtures allegedly used on multiple LFSC project properties prior to licensure.
- LFSC Verification Letter to CDPR — Signed by Executive Director Cade Mohler; confirms Herron coordinated chemical treatment on over 1,500 acres while unlicensed.
- Formal Complaint to CDPR (June 10, 2025) — Documents unlicensed pesticide advising, potential CEQA violations, and calls for enforcement under FAC §12001 and §12999.5.
- Follow-Up Letter to CDPR (July 12, 2025) — Provides further evidence of repeated unlicensed activity, oversight failures by Lassen County Ag Department, and requests investigation of each separate violation.
- May 2, 2025 Letter to LFSC Leadership — Puts Executive Director Cade Mohler and Board Chair Ruth Morentz on notice of their possible complicity or neglect in allowing unlicensed pesticide activity.
These documents have been submitted to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) and are also archived publicly at www.ProtectLassen.org in the interest of transparency and regulatory accountability.
