Why Forests Are at Risk

Many California forests have more vegetation than they can safely support, creating excess fuels like dense brush and fallen limbs. When fuels build up, fires burn hotter, spread faster, and become harder to control—putting nearby communities at greater risk. Reducing excess fuels helps change how fires behave on the landscape.

In wildfire terms, fuels are plants and vegetation that can burn.

This includes things like:

• Dry brush and grasses
• Small trees growing close together
• Dead or dying vegetation
• Low branches that allow fire to climb into treetops

When these fuels build up, they can allow fire to move quickly from the ground into the forest canopy and across large areas.

How CAL FIRE reduces fuels

CAL FIRE uses proven methods to reduce excess fuels and improve forest health. In some areas, trained crews remove vegetation by hand or with equipment. This process, often called thinning, helps create more space between trees and removes ladder fuels.

These treatments are especially important near communities, roads, and areas where prescribed fire may not be immediately possible.

Working together with fire

Fuel reduction and prescribed fire work best together. In many locations, excess vegetation is reduced first through thinning or hand work. Prescribed fire can then be used later to maintain healthier conditions.

How fuel reduction helps communities

Reducing excess fuels can slow wildfire spread, lower fire intensity, create safer conditions for firefighters, and help protect homes, infrastructure, and evacuation routes.

These treatments do not stop all wildfires, but they can make fires more manageable and less destructive.

Fuel reduction ongoing work

Vegetation continues to grow, and conditions continue to change. That’s why CAL FIRE works year-round with partners to plan and carry out fuels reduction projects that support forest health and community safety.