Daily cleaning of chainsaws, chippers, and stump grinders is vital in dry or dusty conditions, particularly due to sawdust and resin build up. Pay attention to cooling fins, air filters, and fuel lines, which are common sources of heat-related malfunctions.
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 protec- tive vegetation has proven useful in stopping the spread of some fires on residential properties. He stated that in the aftermath of the recent Los An- geles fires, professionals are discov- ering that the houses that survived were ones that had green hedges along one side. “So, these ember storms that are blow- ing against the houses, and if you’ve got a little green wall there, that’ll intercept those embers,” Swetnam ex- plained. “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
originally designed for Texas arborists, the certification has since expanded to other states. To date, courses have been hosted by ISA chapters in Georgia , Ida- ho , and the ISA Southern Chapter . The National Fire Protection Associ- ation (NFPA) also offers arborists cer- tifications like the Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) . This certification demonstrates that an ar- borist maintains “knowledge of hazard mitigation, planning and preparedness, public education, and fire science con- cepts associated with the wildland/ur- ban interface.” Not only do these certifications demon- strate your commitment to safety, but they can also be a competitive advan- tage when bidding for contracts, espe- cially with municipalities or fire-prone regions. Completion of these cours- es can also provide peace of mind to homeowners, who may otherwise hesi- tate 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 depart- ments 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 cru- cial 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-resis- tant 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
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