CLEARING THE WAY: MASTICATION MACHINES HELP PROTECT LAKE TAHOE FROM WILDFIRE
Lake Tahoe, NV – As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) is ramping up efforts to reduce wildfire risk across the Tahoe Basin. This summer, residents and visitors may notice specialized equipment at work in local forests—machines performing a process known as mastication, a key tool in the fight to protect communities and the environment.
Mastication is a mechanical fuel reduction method that grinds small trees, brush, and woody debris into mulch. This process helps reduce wildfire intensity by eliminating “ladder fuels”—vegetation that allows fire to climb into the forest canopy—and creating defensible space around neighborhoods, roads, and critical infrastructure.
“Technologies like Burn Bot allow us to treat more acres in less time, potentially at a lower cost,” said Ryan Sommers, Fire Chief of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. “These tools improve our efficiency and strengthen our ability to get ahead of wildfire threats.”
Mastication is especially useful in areas where prescribed burning isn’t feasible, such as near homes, recreation areas, or busy roads. It may be used on its own or alongside other treatments like thinning and prescribed fire.
TFFT Partners in Action: Tyrolian Village Pilot Project
Tyrolian Village | Incline Fire Smart Community Pilot
This innovative pilot project aims to make Tyrolian Village one of the most fire-ready communities in Tahoe by integrating advanced technologies and data-driven strategies. Efforts focus on fuels reduction and home hardening across public lands, utility corridors, neighborhoods, and individual parcels. The data collected will also support new wildfire insurance models.
Project Goals:
• Protect life, property, and the environment
• Prioritize wildfire mitigation efforts
• Motivate homeowners to schedule Defensible Space Inspections
• Support improved wildfire insurance modeling
• Encourage positive insurance outcomes for wildfire-prone communities
Enhancing Forest Health
In addition to reducing wildfire risk, mastication supports long-term forest health. By thinning overcrowded vegetation, this treatment improves tree spacing, reduces competition for water and nutrients, and fosters a more resilient ecosystem. Healthier forests are better equipped to withstand drought, pests, and disease—benefits that extend beyond fire protection to overall environmental sustainability and watershed health.
Stay Informed
To learn more about fuels reduction projects in the Tahoe Basin, visit tahoelivingwithfire.com and explore the interactive project map.
For updates on fuels reduction work near you, email
Do your part! Sign up for our free Defensible Space and Chipping Services www.ntlfpd.org.