Dead Trees Increase the Local Wildfire Threat

Dead Trees Increase the Local Wildfire Threat

Millions of dead trees increase wildfire risk to property

Drought, extreme heat and tens of millions of dead trees could create a destructive wildfire season in California.

There are at least 66 million dead trees in six counties across California, according to the U.S. National Forest Service, caused by years of drought and an increased bark beetle infestation.

“Tree dies-offs of this magnitude are unprecedented and increase the risk of catastrophic wildfires that puts property and lives at risk,” California Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the statement.

So far, 77,000 dead trees have been removed from the Sierra, Sequoia and Stanislaus National Forests, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

CAL FIRE Chief Ken Pimlott said in a news release that “the sheer number of dead trees is hard to imagine,” and urged citizens to remove dead trees from their property.

Learn tips from Firewise.org about creating three zones of wildfire defensible space around your property.