Environmental Committee

Fall 2007
Fire Prevention and Unnecessary Tree Removal
By Kevin Collins

We are all concerned about the possibility of wildfire in the SLV.  Homeowners’ (fire) insurance companies are sending contractors out into Santa Cruz Mountains neighborhoods to tell homeowners to cut vegetation around their homes to reduce the risk in case of forest fire.   There is concern that homeowners are being pressured to unnecessarily log out crown dominant trees (Redwood and Douglas fir as well as hardwoods) off their land in order to keep their homeowners policy.

The actual "Defensible Space" recommendations from the Board of Forestry do not make that recommendation, no less that requirement! The Guidelines can be used by homeowners to assure insurers that their property is in compliance.

If you look on page 8 of the document you will see a drawing of how to keep tall trees on your land and still have defensible space in the event of a wildfire.  The drawing is very useful in regard to neighborhoods shaded under tall timber.  It shows how to prevent the “ladder” effect (where grasses light shrubs on fire and shrubs growing up against trees light them on fire), and what techniques to use to protect the trees (and your homes) from a fire.

We have a small scale industry of loggers who specialize in house lot logging and they may be tempted to use the fear of forest fire to entice homeowners to remove trees unnecessarily.  This prospect is a looming disaster for wildlife and neighborhood tranquility that will happen if substantial house-site logging begins to intensify.  Removing trees increases the chance of erosion on hillsides, reduces animal habitat and increases fire danger by allow the undergrowth to dry out.

Reduced Fuel Zone: Defensible Space with Continuous Tree Canopy

To achieve defensible space while retaining a stand of larger trees with a continuous tree canopy apply the following treatments:

Generally, remove all surface fuels greater than 4 inches in height. Single specimens of trees or other vegetation may be retained provided they are well-spaced, well-pruned, and create a condition that avoids spread of fire to other vegetation or to a building or structure.

Remove lower limbs of trees ("prune") to at least 6 feet up to 15 feet (or the lower 1/3 branches for small trees). Properties with greater fire hazards, such as steeper slopes or more severe fire danger, will require pruning heights in the upper end of this range.

Much of residential fire risk has to do with the flammability of the building and not necessarily the forest around it.  In the recent Tahoe fire many houses caught fire from flying embers well before the forest near them started to burn. The burning homes then ignited the trees immediately around them, speeding up the process and reducing the chance of saving the homes.   This is common with homes built with wood shingle roofs or other bad design for fire resistance.  So the best steps for fire protection must first start with improving the fire resistance of your home, especially your roof.  Judicious removal of flammable materials from around the home is next, following the Guidelines, rather than simply denuding the space around your homes.

General Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space .pdf

©2007 Valley Women's Club