Utility vegetation management: Your community’s shield against wildfires

When a single spark can ignite a catastrophe, would the trees around the power lines be the key to stopping wildfires?

Wildfires are no longer a distant threat. They’re a reality for millions. We haven’t even passed half the year of 2025, wildfires have scorched over 60,308 acres across the U.S., leaving communities devastated and ecosystems in ruin. But what if the solution to control these fires lies in something as simple as managing the trees and shrubs near power lines? And what if trimming trees and pruning brush could save lives, protect infrastructure, and prevent billions in damages each year?

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Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) is a proactive strategy that’s quietly saving lives, homes, and forests.  

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What is utility vegetation management?

Utility Vegetation Management is the systematic process of controlling vegetation near power lines, substations, and utility infrastructure. It is a blend of arboriculture, environmental science, and public safety, that brings together data-driven strategies, filed expertise, and regulatory compliance to reduce wildfire risks and protect the critical infrastructure.

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By trimming trees, clearing brush, and maintaining safe distances between vegetation and power lines, UVM reduces the risk of sparks that can ignite dry grasses or fallen leaves.

But UVM isn’t just about cutting branches. It’s more about the timings and the precision. Experts use data-driven approaches, like LiDAR mapping, real-time data, and predictive analytics with AI, to identify high-risk areas and prioritize maintenance. It’s a high-stake operation to protect communities and resources.

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Read more: Top safety risks in utility vegetation management and how to mitigate them

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How does utility vegetation management prevent wildfires?

Power lines are a leading cause of wildfires. A single branch touching a live wire can unleash a spark that spirals into a blaze. UVM tackles this head-on by:

• Clearing fuel sources: Removing dry brush, dead trees, and overgrown shrubs that act as kindling.

• Maintaining safe distances: Ensuring trees and power lines don’t become dangerous partners during high winds.

• Monitoring growth: Using drones and satellite imagery to track vegetation encroachment in real-time.

• Collaborating with communities: Educating residents on planting fire-resistant species and maintaining defensible spaces.

Take California’s 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 people and destroyed 18,000 structures, actually sparked by a faulty power line. With robust UVM programs, such tragedies could be mitigated or even prevented.

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Preparing for wildfires with UVM

Beyond prevention, UVM plays a critical role in wildfire preparedness, and we have the national wildfire awareness month for raising awareness. Wind or storm, rain or shine, utilities that invest in utility vegetation management software, create resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme conditions.  

Here’s how:

• Hardening infrastructure: Clearing vegetation allows crews to inspect and reinforce poles and lines, reducing outages during fire season.

• Rapid response: Well-maintained vegetation zones make it easier for firefighters to access areas and contain fires.

• Data-driven planning: UVM teams use weather forecasts and historical fire data to prioritize high-risk zones before fire season peaks.

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Cut the risk: Proactive vegetation management for wildfire defense

• Prioritize hazard tree identification and removal. Proactively inspect and address dead, diseased, or structurally compromised trees within rights-of-way and utility corridors. These trees pose high ignition potential and must be documented and removed per utility vegetation management (UVM) protocols.

• Avoid manual pruning near energized lines. Crews must be qualified line clearance arborists (as defined by OSHA and ANSI Z133 standards). Never allow untrained personnel to conduct vegetation work near energized conductors.

• Implement defensible space strategies around utility infrastructure. Ensure that substations, poles, and critical assets maintain minimum vegetation clearance zones in line with CAL FIRE, NFPA 1144, or applicable state guidelines.

• Enforce routine cycle trimming and mid-cycle patrols. Regular maintenance, especially in high fire-threat districts (HFTDs), is critical for compliance and risk reduction. Integrate LiDAR, satellite imagery, and ground patrol data for accuracy.

• Clear fine fuels and ladder fuels. Remove low-lying brush, leaf litter, and overhanging limbs that can carry fire vertically into the canopy. Focus on vertical and horizontal fuel continuity disruption.

• Specify and use fire-resistant species in replanting programs. When replanting is necessary near utility assets, select low-flammability species appropriate for the local fire regime and climate.

• Maintain accurate digital records. Document all inspections, work completed, and risk assessments in a centralized vegetation management system to support compliance and audit readiness.

• Partner with local agencies. Collaborate with fire departments, forestry agencies, and emergency services to align on fuel management strategies and rapid response protocols.

• Monitor weather and fire-risk indices. Use real-time data (e.g., FPI, ERC, and wind speeds) to adjust field activities and proactively deploy mitigation crews during red flag warnings or extreme fire weather.

• Report encroachments or third-party vegetation risks. If customer-owned or third-party vegetation poses a threat to electric infrastructure, initiate proper notification and mitigation procedures in accordance with utility policy.

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Read more: 7 red flags your UVM is falling behind

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Why UVM matters now more than ever

Climate change is fueling longer and more intense wildfire seasons. Droughts dry out forests, and heatwaves turn landscapes into tinderboxes. Meanwhile, with the growing populations, communities get pushed closer to wildlands, increasing the stakes. UVM is a critical tool in this new reality, offering a scalable, cost-effective way to mitigate risks and protect communities.  

Utilities that skimp on UVM face lawsuits, outages, and public backlash. Those that embrace it see fewer incidents and stronger community trust.

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A thought for a greener, safer future!

Utility Vegetation Management is more than a technical process. It’s a lifeline. By keeping vegetation in check, UVM prevents wildfires, prepares communities, and ensures reliable power when it’s needed most. In a world where wildfires are a growing threat, UVM is a beacon of hope, proving that small, smart actions can yield massive results.

Would you like to learn more?  Check out our blogs for more information!

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