Fuel Reduction in ACTION!
What Is Fuel Reduction?
Fuel Reduction is the act of removing woody material from the forest with the goal of improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk. Thinning and pruning trees, removing brush, and mowing tall grasses are all examples of effective fuel reduction.
Fuel reduction activities can be undertaken with several different objectives such as improving ingress/egress, creating defensible space and improving forest health.
Why Is It Important?
For centuries, eastern Washington ponderosa pine forests were open and park-like. Low intensity fires burned through the forests frequently, removed excess vegetation, cleared dead plant material, and returned nutrients to the soil.
After 100 years of fire suppression, these forests have lost their resiliency. Once open forests are now extremely dense, less adapted to fire, and choked with brush. Homes built at th edge of these dense forests are at risk. The stage is set for severe, catastophic wildfire.
Fuel reduction restores the forest to its historic condition, reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and increases the survivability of homes and property.
Examples of Fuel Reduction Projects in the Chumstick
Below you will find examples of fuel reduction completed locally by your friends and neighbors. To tour these sites and see fuel reduction on the ground, contact CWSC Director Annie Schmidt.
Check back for additional fuel reduction success stories (including before and after pictures) as fuel reduction work is completed through the CWSC Private Land Cost Share Program.
Ingress/Egress: Good access to and from your property is vital in the event of a wildfire. It provides you with a safe evacuation route and a clear path for emergency vehicles.
The owner of the property pictured removed brush and small trees from either side of their driveway. They also limbed the tall pines to eliminate ladder fuels and provide adequate clearance. Both shoulders are routinely mowed to further reduce fuels.
Defensible Space: Defensible space is created by modifying vegetation around structures out to a minimum of 30 feet.
On the property pictured, large pines were limbed and brush and small trees were removed. A more open forest was created and fuel that would have allowed a fire to spread up into the tree canopy was eliminated. The landowner also created strategic firebreaks around the home useing common landscaping techniques such as driveways, sidewalks, lawn, and rock gardens.
Forest Health: Public and private resources exist to help you manage your forested property.
The owner of the property pictured used the CWSC Private Land Cost-Share Assistance Program to hire a fuel reduction contractor. The contractor removed weak treas and dense brush to improve forest health and reduce fire risk. Some of the excess material was chipped and scattered on site to return vital nutrients to the soil.
