Wildfire

Forest wildfires are a natural part of many of California’s forest ecosystems.  Living in the forest or managing forest lands means anticipating and preparing for fire no matter what your management objectives are.

"Because we've invested a lot of resources doing hazard fuel reduction, when the fire did approach, we were prepared for that. The results are staggering...you can go to some property lines, where there property was not treated and that line of demarcation is indeed stark."

Joe Smailes, Landowner, Plumas County
Landowner Spotlight
JOE SMAILES, Plumas County

How long has your family managed your forest property?
18 years
 
What do you enjoy the most about owning your land?
Intrinsic beauty, enjoying a veritable refuge, harvesting forest edible crops, adopting the policy of a hands on treatment for managing the landscape for a variety of uses (especially hazard fuels reduction),

What are some of your current goals for your land?
Fire resiliency, sustainable timber yield & edible plants.
Why put in the effort to actively managing your land?
What you put into your land you receive back multi-fold. The satisfaction of work put in is an intrinsic benefit that few would understand - usually reserved for a responsible landowner.
FAQ's
How can I protect my home?
Creating defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.

Source: Cal Fire
what can i do seasonally to reduce the risk of wildfire?
Winter
  • Check property for dead or bark beetle-infested trees.
  • Weather permitting, now is the best time to remove those trees and dense undergrowth.
  • Trim up trees for vertical clearance as part of your home’s defensible space. If not feasible in winter then plan now to do so when weather permits.
  • If you’re planting trees this spring, plan ahead now and plant locally native trees.

Spring
  • Prepare defensible space.
  • Remove dead and bark beetle-infested trees.
  • Bark beetles are most active now and in summer—be careful not to damage remaining trees as fresh wood attracts beetles.
  • If possible, remove freshly cut wood. Otherwise, cover, lop or chip infested wood—and do not place near healthy trees.
  • Following an extended period of little to no rain, sparingly water high-value trees. Use best watering practices.
  • Now is the time to plant new trees, as long as irrigation is available.

Summer
  • Remove dead and dying trees.
  • Follow spring guidelines as beetles are very active in summer as well.
  • Be especially careful with power tools—one spark can start a wildfire. If planting trees in fall, plan ahead now and plant locally native trees.

Fall
  • If planting trees, wait until the weather cools and fall rains have increased soil moisture.
  • Now is one of the best times to remove dead and dying trees, and dense undergrowth.
  • Water high-value trees only if significantly less than average rainfall this season; otherwise, do not water.

source: CAL Fire
what happens after a wildfire?
Once a forested area has been burned in a wildfire, action by landowners is needed to assess the properties' conditions and whether actions such as replanting are needed. For more information on recovering from wildfire in a forested setting, please see the publication, UC Forest Stewardship Series: Wildfire and Fuel Management or contact your local UC Extension Office or CAL Fire.
Resources

Online Learning

Learn how to protect your forestland with the expert help of the University of California. These free self-paced learning modules expand your knowledge of forest management.
Take the online modules:

  1. Fire Hazards