Trees and wildfire risk
Trees are valuable assets, but unmanaged structure, deadwood, and canopy continuity can increase exposure.
What drives risk
- Canopy continuity: close crowns enable crown-to-crown spread
- Deadwood: increases available fuel and ember capture
- Low limbs: create ladder fuel pathways
- Proximity: increases radiant heat and ember exposure
Fire-smart management often emphasizes strategic pruning, thinning, and spacing.
Spacing that preserves gaps between crowns helps reduce crown‑to‑crown spread potential.
Fire-smart practices
- Strategic pruning (avoid topping)
- Canopy thinning to reduce density
- Canopy raising to reduce laddering (species-dependent)
- Deadwood and snag management
- Manage higher-risk species carefully (eucalyptus, pine, cedar, juniper)
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