Preventing Wildfires: How Environmental Consulting Firms Keep Communities Safe
Burn scar from the Creek Fire. Captured by SummitWest biologist, Rob Gumpert
Wildfires are a growing concern across the western United States, threatening communities, wildlife, and critical infrastructure. California has seen some of the worst fires in history, including the Camp Fire (2018), Dixie Fire (2021), and recently, the Palisades and Eaton Fires (2025). While wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems, increased fuel buildup, climate change, and human activity have made them more destructive than ever.
At SummitWest Environmental, our biologists and field experts work on the frontlines of wildfire prevention and recovery. Whether conducting fuels assessments, habitat restoration, or working with construction crews who perform infrastructure risk analysis, our team plays a critical role in helping land managers and utility companies reduce fire hazards and protect natural resources.
One of our most significant projects involved post-fire recovery for the Creek Fire (2020), one of California’s largest wildfires, in partnership with Stantec and Southern California Edison (SCE), and currently, providing cultural resources (archaeology) support on the Palisades Fire.
SummitWest biologists joined Southern California Edison (SCE) in October 2020 to help restore electrical grids impacted by the Creek Fire in the Sierra National Forest
The Role of Biologists in Wildfire Prevention
Preventing wildfires starts with understanding the land. Our biologists and ecologists spend time in the field conducting critical assessments that help identify and mitigate fire risks.
Fuels and Thatch Surveys – We assess dry vegetation buildup that could fuel a wildfire, helping land managers prioritize areas for maintenance.
Invasive Species Management – Removing flammable, fast-spreading plants like cheatgrass and black mustard reduces fire intensity and spread.
Habitat Restoration – Restoring native, fire-adapted ecosystems creates natural firebreaks and reduces extreme fire behavior.
These strategies are crucial in high-risk areas like Los Angeles County, where the Palisades Fire burned over 1,150 acres of chaparral-covered hillsides, and the Eaton Canyon Fire forced evacuations near Pasadena. Fires like these highlight the importance of proactive land management.
Post-fire assessment botanical surveys at Camp Pendleton, CA
Post-Fire Recovery: The Creek Fire Project
The Creek was one of California’s largest wildfires, burning nearly 380,000 acres in the Sierra National Forest in 2020. Following the fire, SummitWest Environmental biologists worked with Stantec and SCE to ensure environmentally responsible restoration efforts.
Our work included:
Conducting clearance sweeps before, during, and after construction to check for sensitive biological resources.
Monitoring for small mammals like the Pacific fisher and Sierra Pacific marten, ensuring their habitats were protected.
Surveying and safeguarding special-status reptiles and amphibians, such as the Western pond turtle and Yosemite toad.
Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, including proper buffer zones and avoidance measures for sensitive species.
By monitoring construction activities and enforcing environmental protections, our biologists helped prevent further ecosystem damage while ensuring a safe and effective restoration process.
The project included critical habitat for listed species like the Yosemite toad, Pacific fisher, Western pond turtle, and Foothill Yellow-legged frog, as well as protected water resources.
Wildfire Prevention in Action: Managing Infrastructure Risks
Many of California’s largest fires have been ignited by infrastructure failures. The Camp Fire, for example, started due to faulty power lines, leading to 85 fatalities and the destruction of an entire town. SummitWest Environmental works with utility companies and municipalities to:
Assess power line corridors for overgrown vegetation.
Develop defensible space plans to protect infrastructure.
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations while reducing fire hazards.
By addressing these risks before an ignition occurs, we help prevent future tragedies.
Wildfires are an increasingly year-round threat, but proactive management can save lives, homes, and ecosystems. At SummitWest Environmental, our field biologists and wildfire mitigation experts are dedicated to reducing fire risks and restoring fire-damaged landscapes.
