There are a wide variety of reasons to prioritize tree care and fire risk abatement. This is especially true with the Bootleg Fire, the largest wildfire in the US, currently burning in South Central Oregon. Without regular thinning, pruning, and removal, trees contain dead wood and foliage, which can fuel wildfires like this. That’s why the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care would like to provide you with the following Oregon tree care tips for preventing the spread of wildfire.
Create A Defensible Landscape
Dead grass, bushes, and trees all act as fuel for a wildfire. Take the time to remove all these dead plant materials to create a 30-foot defensible space around your home with minimal vegetation. This helps to decrease the chance that flames from a wildfire will reach any structures. A defensible space will also help firefighters to defend your home. If your home is on a hill, it requires more defensible space of a 150-foot perimeter because fire moves more quickly up a slope.
Additionally, it’s important to trim back any branches that hang over your home. A good rule of thumb is to keep tree branches at least ten feet from your roof. Shade trees on your property should also be pruned of limbs at least six feet from the ground. This minimizes the spread of a wildfire by eliminating low-lying fuels.
Last but not least, healthy trees are more likely to survive a wildfire. That’s why it’s essential to schedule regular Oregon tree care services from a certified arborist who can help you remove deadwood while pruning.
General Fire Prevention Tips
It’s important to pay attention to the signs of a dry, stressed tree. If you notice any of the following signs, a tree may be diseased or dead.
- Excessive leaf loss or a reduction in foliage growth.
- Brittle or peeling bark that falls off a tree.
- Fallen deadwood as well as leafless branches.
- The presence of mushrooms or fungi.
- Soft spots or open wounds.
- A sudden lean.
Dead or dying trees are potential fire hazards. If you discover an unhealthy tree on your property, it’s important to contact the professionals at Westcoast Tree Care for an inspection or tree removal service.
Summer BBQ Fire Safely
If you like to grill outside, it’s important to do so a safe distance away from your home or other nearby structures. Take the time to understand the unique safety requirements specific to your particular grill and have a plan in place for putting out an unexpected fire. These include having a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby. Additionally, you should never grill in places with dry, overhead materials such as trees.
Access for Emergency Vehicles
In the event of a fire, fire trucks and emergency vehicles need to be able to get to your home and property. That’s why it’s important to maintain a clear driveway for emergency access.
Fire Safety Inside Your Home
There are a wide variety of ways to prevent fires inside your home. These include changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and clearing out fireplaces. Check out the following Wildfire Preparedness article for more fire safety tips.
Removal of Dry, Dead Vegetation
Fires are natural events that regularly burn during the late summer and early fall months. When they occur, fire feeds on lush, dry vegetation. That’s why it’s important to reduce the amount of fire fuel on your property by thinning out thick, overgrown weeds and grass.
Westcoast Tree Care
If you have any questions about the trees on your property and additional ways to protect your home from wildfire, contact the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care. We would be more than happy to visit your home and provide you effective recommendations for minimizing fire danger in your landscape. Fill out our online form or give us a call at 1.800.767.8733 for a no-cost, no-obligation quote today.
