Fire Prevention in the Field

Best Practices for a Safer Industry

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While the primary goal of arborists and tree care crews is to maintain the health and safety of trees and communities, even routine activities like pruning, cutting, or fueling equipment can unintentionally spark a wildfire. With dry conditions, heat, and the wrong combination of circumstances, a simple oversight can lead to disaster.

The responsibility to mitigate fire risk doesn’t just fall on landowners or fire agencies, though. As tree care professionals, it starts with us. Wildfires are growing in frequency and intensity across the country. The EPA reported increases in the length of wildfire seasons, total number of fires, as well as overall acreage burned.

The good news? There are tried-and-true ways to work smarter, safer, and more responsibly in the field. Whether you operate in a high-risk fire zone or not, these practices help protect both your crew and the communities you serve.

Understanding the Risk

Chainsaws, chippers, brush cutters, and other gas-powered equipment produce heat, sparks, and combustible materials. Add in dry brush, low humidity, and windy conditions, and you have the recipe for a fast-moving fire.

Jack Harvey, owner of Cool Forestry & Arboriculture, stated that fire risks are more prominent in many West Coast areas today due to the long-standing restriction of controlled burns. The retired Cal Fire chief explained that this essential practice began to be limited as far back as the Gold Rush era and continues to impact current conditions. With natural undergrowth compounding in forests, many site conditions are prime for fires that are difficult to control.

“Every acre used to burn every 10 years, and then we came along and didn’t allow it,” Harvey shared, referring especially to the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. “Next thing you know, we get a fire, and we don’t have the resources to put it out because it’s just way too massive.”

Wildfires are not solely a West Coast risk, though. In fact, according to Resources for the Future, while wildfires in the west are larger and more intense than those in other regions of the U.S., there are actually more annual instances of wildfires in the east. In 2022, for example, there were over 20,000 wildfires in the west that burned almost 6 million acres. In the east, there were 48,000 fires that burned just under 2 million acres — meaning preventative action is necessary everywhere.

Thomas Swetnam, University of Arizona Regents Professor of Dendrochronology at the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, added that changing weather patterns further exacerbate the risk of highly intense wildfires today, particularly in the Southwest.

“The droughts that we’re seeing in recent decades are the worst droughts in over 1,000 years in terms of temperature and drought and lack of moisture,” he explained. “And the forests have changed. Without those frequent surface fires, the forests have become denser. More trees and more fuels have accumulated. Add hot droughts to that and we’re getting conflagrations on a scale and an intensity of burning that hasn’t been witnessed in written history.”

All of this tells us that even in regions not typically associated with wildfires, changing climate patterns, and urban sprawl into wildland areas are creating new risk zones. Fire safety is no longer a regional concern — it is a national one. As a result, taking proactive steps in tree care is not just good for business; it could save lives.

Recognize and Respect Fire-Prone Conditions

One of the best ways to mitigate fire risk is to train your crew to recognize warning signs and act accordingly before the threat becomes a reality. Make it part of your routine to assess fire risk each day before mobilizing and outline the day’s protocol as a result. According to Harvey, this starts with a job site analysis (JSA).

“Our biggest thing here is dried grass. Grass fires are what we call ‘light flashy fuels,’ and they move like lightning,” he stated. “Chainsaws are probably our next highest ignition source. They get super hot, and then if you were to set it down on the grass, you could start a fire just by the grass hitting your muffler.”

Knowing when to pause a job due to weather or environmental conditions is also a mark of professionalism. Before beginning work, always check:

• Local fire weather forecasts
• Wind speeds and humidity levels
• Red Flag Warnings or regional fire alerts

If conditions are particularly dry or windy, it may be necessary to delay work or implement additional precautions like onsite water tanks, fire extinguishers, or wetting down the work area. These decisions can be tough, especially with tight schedules, but safety should always take precedence.

Have Your Fire Cache Accessible

Depending on the job site, time of year, and fire risk, crews should be equipped with essential fire gear that is accessible and in good working condition. Harvey explained his crew’s fire wagon typically consists of a water tank and pump, a fire hose, and backpack pumps for vegetation fires. It also has an ABC-rated fire extinguisher for fuel fires, as well as a cache of hand tools like shovels — all within reach at all times on the job site.

“A lot of people bring their fire gear with them, but then when the fire starts, everybody panics because it’s buried in the truck,” he said. “So, when we get there, I have them pull the fire extinguisher out, backpack pump, and shovels. I’ll put some cones around it and everybody knows — it’s all right here.”

When working in a fire-prone region or on a job site that has the propensity for accidental starts, these tools are not just precautionary — they are necessary. Being prepared with the appropriate equipment allows crews to act fast, contain small flare-ups, and potentially stop a fire before it spreads out of control.

Follow Safe Fueling Procedures

Fueling is one of the riskiest routine tasks on a tree care job site during times of high fire risk. Sparking equipment, hot engines, or even a dropped container can start a fire under the right conditions.

“I’ve seen fuel ignite just from static electricity, especially if we’re working near power lines, so we don’t fill up in the grass,” Harvey shared. “And we don’t fill up on the tailgate because it’s got this plastic bedliner, and for whatever reason, you always get zapped with static electricity. We try to fill up on the person’s driveway, or the street, or a dirt road.”

Other practices for reducing fire risk include:

• Allowing engines to cool before refueling.
• Using only approved containers for gasoline and other fuels.
• Refraining from smoking or allowing other open flames near fueling areas.
• Avoiding spillage while fueling, and cleaning any spills immediately.

“And then it’s just reminding the guys to be diligent about it,” Harvey added. “Because we get hot; we get tired.”

It may seem rudimentary, but fatigue or rushing can make even seasoned professionals cut corners. Reinforcing fueling protocols during team meetings and safety briefings helps keep this step top-of-mind.

Establish and Practice Emergency Shutdown Protocols

Despite all precautions, the possibility of a fire persists. Having an emergency response plan in place can be the difference between a small flare-up and a large-scale incident. Walter Passmore, State Urban Forester with Cal Fire Resource Protection and Improvement, reported that one of the most overlooked steps in emergency shutdown procedures is safety meetings and communication.

“Having those tailgate meetings is important as you enter into seasons with high fire risk,” he explained. “Reiterating fire safety procedures, site assessment, shutdown and emergency procedures, and other fire safety reminders.”

Another often-overlooked fire safety measure is designating a dedicated individual to monitor fire risk and initiate emergency protocols when needed.

“Just like when you’re moving large loads through traffic and you have someone dedicated to watching for safety hazards,” Passmore said. “When you’re in a high-risk zone for wildfires, you need to have a designated role for monitoring fire risk.”

He also stressed the importance of notifying the proper authorities when there is an accidental start on the job site — even if the flames are seemingly extinguished. This helps to mitigate damage, especially if the fire is caused by a crew mistake.

“When there’s an accidental start due to negligence, the company or responsible party may be held accountable for the costs of fire suppression,” he stated. “That’s why it’s so important to contact the proper authorities as soon as the fire starts and also attempt to safely contain the fire until help arrives. This minimizes spread quickly and limits loss associated with fire damage and suppression efforts.”

Harvey concurred, recounting an incident in which his crew was working with large machinery in a rural area, and an equipment fire ensued. Since the team was prepared, they were able to notify the authorities and quickly get help, preventing a potential disaster and financial repercussions.

“Being a retired fire chief with Cal Fire, I carry a fire radio, and I was able to call it in,” he explained. “We were able to isolate it and hold it into the area, but we did take assistance from the fire department.”

Since accidental starts can spread rapidly — particularly when job site conditions are fire-prone — crew members should be trained to:

• Immediately stop work if fire or smoke is detected
• Shut down equipment safely
• Use proper fire extinguishers or other suppression tools
• Call emergency services and report exact location
• Evacuate personnel and bystanders to a safe zone

Harvey recommended posting this protocol clearly in all vehicles and on the job site for easy access and referral. It is also crucial to conduct occasional drills to ensure everyone knows what to do and can act quickly and calmly under pressure. The faster you respond, the more damage you limit.

Keep Equipment Fire-Safe

Routine maintenance is more than just preserving equipment performance—it plays a critical role in fire prevention. Spark arrestors and mufflers should be inspected frequently and replaced if they are damaged or clogged, as they serve as the first line of defense against stray sparks.

Daily cleaning of chainsaws, chippers, and stump grinders is equally important, particularly in dry or dusty conditions. Sawdust and resin buildup can cause equipment to overheat and potentially ignite. Pay close attention to cooling fins, air filters, and fuel lines, which are common sources of heat-related malfunctions.

In addition to regular inspections, consider implementing a maintenance log that tracks service intervals and flags any equipment that might pose a risk. Having a documented process also supports your credibility should you ever be evaluated for certification or liability.

Get Fire Safety Certifications

In some states, arborists can receive additional certifications for wildfire safety. For example, the Wildfire Risk Reduction Qualification (WRRQ) is a two-day course that delivers special training to arborists on reducing the risk of wildfires around homes, properties, and natural areas. Though originally designed for Texas arborists, the certification has since expanded to other states. To date, courses have been hosted by ISA chapters in Georgia, Idaho, and the ISA Southern Chapter.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also offers arborists certifications like the Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS). This certification demonstrates that an arborist maintains “knowledge of hazard mitigation, planning and preparedness, public education, and fire science concepts associated with the wildland/urban interface.”

Not only do these certifications demonstrate your commitment to safety, but they can also be a competitive advantage when bidding for contracts, especially with municipalities or fire-prone regions. Completion of these courses can also provide peace of mind to homeowners, who may otherwise hesitate to bring in equipment-heavy crews during fire season.

Being proactive in this area strengthens the industry’s overall reputation. For further preventative actions, check with local forestry agencies or fire departments for available programs and make fire safety a goal for your business.

Educate Clients on Fire Risk and Safety

Tree care professionals also play a crucial role in educating clients about fire safety principles that extend beyond the job site. In fire-prone regions, this means advising homeowners on proper tree and shrub placement or spacing to reduce the risk of fire spread. It may also involve recommending fire-resistant landscaping strategies, such as choosing certain species to plant and encouraging consistent tree and shrub care to maintain moisture levels during dry months.

“Arborists are really key in this whole process,” said Swetnam. “Because they understand fuels and the spacing of trees and which trees are more likely to be less flammable or more resistant if a fire does burn through the neighborhood.”

Swetnam also pointed out that the use of properly maintained protective vegetation has proven useful in stopping the spread of some fires on residential properties. He stated that in the aftermath of the recent Los Angeles fires, professionals are discovering that the houses that survived were ones that had green hedges along one side.

“So, these ember storms that are blowing against the houses, and if you’ve got a little green wall there, that’ll intercept those embers,” Swetnam explained. “But it has to be placed right and well-maintained.”

It is important to remind clients to be diligent with tasks like clearing gutters and rooftops of pine needles, leaves, and branches — common fuel sources for airborne embers. By guiding property owners in these practices, the tree care industry can support a broader scope of community fire resilience.

A Safer Path Forward

Tree care is about stewardship, and not only of trees and landscapes, but of the communities they surround. As wildfires become more common and destructive, it is imperative that we, as professionals, lead the way in safe practices. From equipment checks to emergency drills, every action counts. The responsibility may feel heavy, but with proper systems, training, and awareness, fire prevention can become part of your company culture.

Remember: It is not just about avoiding liability. It is about protecting the land, lives, and livelihoods we work so hard to support. Fire prevention is not a burden — it is an opportunity to do things right. And in today’s climate, doing it right matters more than ever.