Preparing Trees for Wildfire Season in Napa Valley

As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense across California, Napa Valley homeowners face increasing pressure to protect their properties. With its dry summers, sloping terrain, and abundance of vegetation, Napa is especially vulnerable to fast-moving fires. One of the most effective strategies for safeguarding your home? Proper tree care and defensible space planning.



At Mike’s Tree Service, we specialize in helping Napa County residents reduce fire risk through strategic tree pruning, removals, and wildfire mitigation practices tailored to local conditions.

What Is Defensible Space—and Why Does It Matter?

Defensible space is the buffer zone you create between your home and the grass, trees, shrubs, or wildland areas surrounding it. It's not about clear-cutting your landscape—it's about managing vegetation wisely.

CAL FIRE breaks this into two zones:

• Zone 1 (0–30 feet from structures): Keep this area "lean, clean, and green."
  
  
• Remove dead plants, dry leaves, and pine needles.
  
  
• Trim tree branches at least 10 feet from any chimney or roofline.
  
  
• Eliminate ladder fuels (vegetation that allows fire to climb from the ground into trees).
  
  
• Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce fuel load and maintain spacing.
  
  
• Cut grass to 4 inches or shorter.
  
  
• Create horizontal and vertical space between shrubs and trees.
  
  
• Remove dead or dying branches and debris regularly.

Source: CAL FIRE

How Tree Pruning and Removal Help Prevent Wildfire Spread

Overgrown or poorly placed trees can act as fire conduits, especially when branches touch rooftops or cross over power lines. Here’s how we help reduce that risk:

Strategic Pruning:

• Raise tree canopies by removing lower limbs (especially near structures).
  
  
• Thin dense branches to reduce heat accumulation and fire spread.
  
  
• Maintain clearance from buildings, roads, and power lines.
  
  

Professional Tree Removal:

Sometimes, a tree poses too much risk to save. Whether it's diseased, dead, or simply too close to your home, safe removal can be the smartest move for wildfire protection.

Pro Tip: Never attempt major tree work on your own—improper cuts can increase risk and even violate local ordinances.

Napa County-Specific Fire Mitigation Rules

Napa County has adopted its own guidelines, aligned with CAL FIRE standards but tailored for local terrain and vegetation. Here’s what homeowners need to know:

✅ Annual defensible space inspections are conducted by local fire departments. Non-compliance can lead to fines.
✅ Tree limbs must be trimmed at least 6 feet above the ground and 10 feet from structures.
✅ No combustible materials within 5 feet of buildings, including mulch and firewood stacks.

You can find full ordinance details through the Napa County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Why Choose Mike’s Tree Service?

We’re proud to be Napa Valley locals who understand the unique wildfire risks of our community. Our team offers:



 Free fire safety assessments
Expert pruning and removal services
Clean-up and chipping of debris
Compliance with all county and state fire codes

Schedule a Fire Safety Tree Inspection Today

Don’t wait until a red flag warning is issued. Let Mike’s Tree Service help you prepare your property and gain peace of mind this wildfire season.

Call us at (707) 555-1234
Request a Free Estimate