As our summers grow hotter and drier and winds become more unpredictable, it’s essential to talk about wildfire safety. Having spent five years as an operator for Cedar Eaters and 16 years as a wildland firefighter, I’ve gathered a wealth of experience from my lifelong connection to logging and forestry. With more people moving to rural areas, the threat of wildfires encroaching on our homes is a growing concern. But the good news is we can take proactive steps to reduce this risk together with better wildfire protection with forestry mulchers.
Picture your home nestled in a protective buffer, a space that significantly lowers the chance of a wildfire reaching your doorstep. This buffer is created by managing the vegetation around your property, fence lines, and roads through vegetation or forestry mulching.
Mulching is the best strategy for wildfire prevention. It removes ladder fuels such as underbrush, small trees and downed limbs and spreads them on the ground. Mulching limits a fire’s ability to move upwards and spread across treetops. It minimizes the chances of embers igniting new fires ahead of the main blaze and provides better access for firefighters responding to a fire on your property.
Some may have concerns about mulch and its flammability. Mulch burns at a much lower intensity and spreads more slowly than thick stands of trees or brush, especially in high-wind conditions.
Taking charge of vegetation management is your best defense in managing and slowing the spread of fires and allowing aerial and ground crews to contain them.
Let’s prioritize wildfire safety by embracing the power of mulching and proactive vegetation management. Consider partnering with Cedar Eaters to safeguard your home, community, and way of life from the devastating threat of wildfires. Now is the time to act; let’s make a difference!
