Fuel Reduction

Summit Forestry Services is committed to helping landowners to improve the “fire-safeness” of their property.  The existing vegetation on the property can evaluated, and a plan be developed to alter the hazardous fuels (as need) to lessen the hazard fuels.

With the potential of a major fire very high throughout the area, vegetation control for fire prevention is extremely important.  Excess vegetation, trees, brush, and sprouting hardwoods should be managed (reduced) to improve (decrease) the property’s hazardous-fuel loading, and corresponding fire danger.

With a properly maintained forest, it is possible to keep the fire danger to a minimum. This can be done by reducing the overcrowded overstory, thinning the understory, pruning the trees, removing fuel ladders, and keeping the brush in check.  It may be impossible to keep a fire from burning the properties, but it is extremely important to lessen the fire hazard with proper vegetation control.  To prepare for a possible wildfire, a major goal for the properties is to have reduced fuel loading, which may result in a lower-intensity light ground fire.

Summit Forestry Services can provide the following services to assist landowners with their property:

  • Development of a Management Plan for the property.  This plan can include evaluating existing hazardous fuel conditions, emergency road access, tree health evaluations, erosion problems, etc.
  • On-site property inspection with recommendations for reducing hazardous fuels and conditions.
  • Help with applying for, and implementing cost-share programs.
    • California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) is administered by CDF and provides cost-share funds for many environmental projects.  Projects may include:  fuel reduction, wildfire rehabilitation, tree thinning, wildlife enhancement, tree planting, and more.
    • Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP) is administered by Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and also provides cost-share funds for many environmental projects.  Projects may include:  fuel reduction, wildfire rehabilitation, tree thinning, wildlife enhancement, tree planting, and more.