Free brush clearing?

[Phils]

We've had a Fire Safe Council here for about 8 or 9 years and they have done some great work, including clearing fire breaks like they are offering stumpfield. The breaks haven't been "stripped". They've just been made more fire safe by removing the "ladder fuels".

Removing ladder fuels is what I've been doing to our place for 25 years and I'd have quickly accepted an organization's help had it been offered.

Phil

 

[Doc_Bob]

The breaks haven't been "stripped". They've just been made more fire safe by removing the "ladder fuels".


Phil

What is a ladder fuel?
Bob

 

[Phils]

Ladder fuels are the dead branches on the lower part of a tree, flammable brush and anything else that will allow a grassfire to "climb a ladder of fuel" to become a forest fire. Keep the flames out of the trees and fires are easier to contain.

Likely not a concern in WI but a REAL concern in the western forest fire states.

I attached two photos I took last week, the first looking toward my tractor shed and where the ladder fuels have been removed. The second is looking 180 degrees in the opposite direction and you can see exactly where I stopped clearing ladder fuels last spring. That's where I'll start again soon.

Phil

 

[Highbeam]

We refer to that as "parking out" the forest. Being able to mow in and around your trees. I've also heard it called "goated out"

I've done a huge amount of removal of the ladder fuels though it wasn't for fire as much as for creating a woodland pasture for the larger wildlife. Reach as high as you can with the chainsaw to debranch and make all the underbrush goes away.

 

[RobertN]

It should provide some decent clearance for access on the road, plus removal of fuel around the road. This is something to think about too as you work on your property and house.

Make sure you can access with a large truck. you should be able to easily get a Fire engine up to your house. Remember they are much larger than a car or pickup.

It is important if you have a medical call; an engine will be your first resource. Also, most medic rigs are fair sized vehicles too.

It is important for wildland season too. If your drive is not maintianed for access, you might not get an engine up there to save or protect your house.

I've been on calls where the brush and trees justed raked the engine and medic unit. Seen a couple where the engine crew had to walk part way in; the engine could not fit either the drive, or the trees and branches were just too hard to get through.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Likely not a concern in WI but a REAL concern in the western forest fire states.
Phil

So much farmland that fires are not a big convern, unless someone starts the brush on fire alongside a major road.

Thanks for the explanation!
Bob

 

[3RRL]

Your are right. I did a little research and found they are legit. They got grant $$$ from california Prop 40. So, our tax dollar funded the project. ....

So Tom,
Let me get this straight...they are using MY money to clear YOUR property? LOL