Fuels Reduction and Defensible Space

Fuels reduction is the process of decreasing the amount of flammable materials, such as vegetation and deadwood, in a forest or wildland area. We can help you reduce the risk and severity of wildfires by limiting the available fuel for them to burn. We want to help you protect your communities, wildlife habitats, and natural resources from destructive blazes. Additionally, fuels reduction can promote ecosystem health by promoting biodiversity and restoring natural fire regimes as well as improve the aesthetic appeal of a space!

Cutting down trees to benefit the forest? How does that work?

It may seem counter-intuitive to think that cutting down trees, and removing vegetation from the forest would benefit it, there is no doubt that managing the amount of trees in a given space greatly decreases the intensity of fires and allows for first responders to have more control over the fire.

Fuels reduction decreases the intensity and spread of fires, making them easier to control and extinguish. This creates defensible spaces around communities and structures, reducing the risk of property damage and loss of life during wildfires. Additionally, fuels reduction can help to break up the continuity of vegetation, which can slow down the advance of wildfires and provide firefighters with safer access points for suppression efforts. Fuels protection can protect you, your property and structures, as well as the forest.

California Fire Intensity- California FOREST NEWS -Episode #1

Learn how fuel loading, wind, terrain, and drought in California combine to create extreme wildfire intensity and behavior.

Fuel Treatment Areas - California FOREST NEWS - Episode #2

In this episode, we examine how fuel treatment areas on National Forest System lands changed the intensity of the Caldor Fire and provided opportunities for community defense. Please help us spread this episode far and wide by sharing over all of your networks.

Expert Opinion: Fuel Treatment Areas -California FOREST NEWS- Episode #3

This episode of California FOREST NEWS features two experts from behind the scenes of the Caldor Fire: The Forest Supervisors of the Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Hear their opinion on the importance of Fuel Treatment Areas.

Low Intensity Fire - California FOREST NEWS - Episode #4

This episode explains the importance of routine, low intensity fire within California’s fire adapted ecosystems. It also explains the consequences of removing, low intensity fire from these same ecosystems and landscapes including the buildup of hazardous fuels.

Prescribed Fire - California FOREST NEWS -Episode #5

This episode is all about Prescribed Fire. Learn about the different types of prescribed fire as well as the methodical process the U.S. Forest Service and our partners utilize to reintroduce beneficial, low-intensity fire to the California forests.