A resilient forest can withstand and adapt to disturbances caused by pests, disease, and fire. Prescribed fire helps keep our forests healthy and resilient by removing excess fuels that feed catastrophic wildfire. Healthy forests protect water quality and quantity for all users – plants, animals, and people. Together, we’re working to make California more resilient to wildfire. Track state progress at https://www.fire.ca.gov/fuels-reduction/. | CAL FIRE

Hazardous fuel reduction pre-work can slow down fire behavior ahead of a future wildfire in the forest. This includes thinning, chipping, and/or mulching of trees and brush. By removing the lower limbs of trees, fire doesn’t have an easy way to jump from limb to limb like a ladder and jump quickly from the top of one tree to many others. Slowing down a future wildfire can give firefighters a safer location, where flames are less intense, from which to directly attack a wildfire. U.S. Forest Serv