FAQ
1. What is mastication?
Mastication in the context of fire prevention and defensible space involves us using our masticator (Bobcat compact track loader with a masticating attachment) to knock down dead and overgrown trees. Next, we use the masticator to “chew” up the fallen wood and plant material. We offer our customers three options for what comes next.
- Further grind plant materials into mulch and safely till the material back into the soil. This method is healthy for the soil and prevents erosion n the case of heavy rains.
- Pile up the fallen materials and haul them away.
- Pile up the fallen materials into designated “dozer piles” and then conduct controlled burns to safely destroy the materials.
2. What is defensible space?
In order to safeguard homes and properties against wildfires, a minimum amount of vegetation-free space is required around the perimeter of the property. You can dramatically reduce your risk with a little planning.
We fight help homeowners, municipalities and commercial properties safeguard themselves against wildfire through defensible space and brush clearing strategies.
These efforts are designed to clear designated spaces around a property from unchecked vegetation that allows wildfires to burn hotter, faster and longer. Defensible space strategies include: brush clearing, fuel reduction and vegetation management.
3. What is brush clearing / fuel reduction?
Residential and commercial properties in mountainous areas often have brush and fallen vegetation throughout the property. This type of accumulated vegetation is fuel for wildfires and if left unchecked, these fuels can endanger people and property. Fallen vegetation and brush allow wildfires to burn hotter, faster and with increased flame lengths.
We use a specialized piece of equipment (Bobcat compact track loader with a masticating attachment) to clear brush and reduce fuels that threaten a space. Our machine is extremely efficient, and it has the ability to clear acres on a daily basis depending on the nature of the terrain. The machine is also eco-friendly.
4. What is fire suppression / fire clean-up?
We conduct fire suppression and fire clean-up efforts to aid local and federal fire departments as they fight wildfires. This type of work requires various activities including but not limited to: flame suppression, construction of fire lines, extinguishing flames and reducing hot zones. Fighting a wildfire is not complete when the active flames are extinguished. Part of the clean-up effort involves cooling the smoldering fuels on the forest floor in order to prevent a contained fire from flaring back up.
5. What is vegetation management?
Brush and fallen vegetation are not the only threats to people and property. Small trees and bushes that are left to overgrow in areas around a property can also make a space more susceptible to wildfires. Our equipment can easily “chew up” these types of green vegetation before they become a major threat to safety. Fire prevention efforts should always be multilateral and vegetation management is a great start.
6. Do you offer masticator rental or other equipment rental?
If you are in need of brush clearing or other equipment used to create defensible space, we want to hear from you. We can’t promise that we’ll have the equipment that you need when you need it, but we can definitely point you in the right direction or hook you up with one of our outstanding partners.
7. How long does it take to create defensible space through vegetation management, brush clearing and fuel reduction?
We use a specialized piece of equipment (Bobcat compact track loader with a masticating attachment) to clear brush and reduce fuels that threaten a space. Our machine is extremely efficient, and it has the ability to clear acres on a daily basis depending on the nature of the terrain. The machine is also eco-friendly.