After a fire, vegetation survival depends on many factors such as species, condition before the fire, and condition after the fire. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when promoting the survival of vegetation:

• Assess the trees. If most buds on the tree are still green, moist, and flexible, they have a good chance of survival.
• If you are having problems determining the condition of a tree, wait until the next spring to assess again.
• Fire-stressed trees are prone to beetle attack. Look for pink to red-colored pitch on tree branches. If the tree is beetle infested, it must be removed. For more information on tree removal call the County of San Diego at (866) 402-6044.
• Irrigate fire-stressed plants as soon as possible after returning home. Water the ground beneath trees for the full width of their drip line (the circumference of the canopy, branches, and a few feet further) until the soil is moist to about 12-15 inches in depth.
• After a fire, you may also not be able to immediately determine the survival rate of tree crops such as avocados. It's a good idea to wait for at least three months to see if there is new growth on the tree before determining its survival. For more information on fire damage to avocado groves click here.

For information on agricultural losses click here to visit our Agricultural Recovery page.

*For more information on identifying dead and dying trees, evaluating bark beetle attacks, and to view a photo gallery of signs and symptoms of dying or infested trees click here.

If your property has been left with a abundance of dead or dying vegetation after a wildfire, it is vital that it be removed. Dead vegetation is not only aesthetically unappealing, but it also invites insects and diseases that may affect healthy surrounding vegetation. In the case of an abundance of dead vegetation, it is wise to contract a registered professional forester. Professional foresters can help sell or dispose of trees as well as plan and carry out the harvesting and reforestation of your land. In addition, the County of San Diego offers removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees on both private and public land.

For more information regarding the San Diego County Fire Safety and Fuels Reduction Program and what you should know about tree removal, contact the Forest Area Safety Task Force (FAST) at:
Website: http://www.sdcdpw.org/tree/residents.html
Hotlines: (866) 402-6044 or (858) 495-5494

While landowners are not required by law to reforest their property, it can be very advantageous to the development of a new and healthy forest. For more information, contact the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP).
Website: http://ceres.ca.gov/
Forest Steward Helpline: 1-800-738-TREE