Fuel Reduction Efforts Target Wildfire Risk in California

As wildfires continue to pose a growing threat across California, the need for preventative action has never been greater. Through a partnership with Santa Clara County Parks, BrightView took proactive steps to reduce wildfire fuel and restore native trees at Mount Madonna County Park in Watsonville, Calif.

The 4,600-acre park features towering redwood and oak trees and sweeping views of the Santa Clara Valley and Monterey Bay. However, invasive blue gum eucalyptus trees have taken over parts of the park and has made it vulnerable to wildfires.

To help protect this environment, Santa Clara County Parks launched a Fuel Reduction Project, focused on strengthening the park’s ecosystem while reducing the potential for wildfires. The initiative centered on removing invasive species and excess fire fuel, increasing plant diversity, improving watershed health, and enhancing the habitat throughout the park.

“This work is about creating a safer, healthier forest for the community,” said Timothy Pate, Enhancement Manager at BrightView’s San Jose North branch. “Wildfire prevention starts on the ground, and projects like this are critical to reducing fuel loads before fires have a chance to spread.”

The blue gum eucalyptus, a fast-growing tree that can reach heights of 150 to 200 feet, is easily recognizable by its waxy blue leaves and gray-ish bark. They were widely planted in the latter half of the 20th century for their ability to thrive in drought-prone conditions.

Over time, however, the species proved to be highly problematic. Eucalyptus consumes large amounts of groundwater found deep under the earth and poses a serious wildfire threat due to its oily resins, which burn at higher intensities. Its peeling bark and fallen leaves also scatter combustible materials across the forest floor, earning the eucalyptus the nickname “gasoline tree” in the west.

For one week, a 15-person BrightView team worked across the park to remove the invasive trees and replace them with native redwoods, which are also more fire-resistant and better suited to the region’s natural landscape.

In addition to new removals, the team revisited 18 acres of eucalyptus trees cleared in 2024, eliminating saplings growing from remaining stumps to prevent the species from reestablishing in the area.

“My team loved working on this project,” Pate said. “It’s an incredibly beautiful area, and knowing our work helps protect it and the communities around us made the experience especially meaningful.”