While beautiful and enchanting, Montana’s rugged landscape has a lot of complexity.  Gauging the role that wildfire plays in this landscape requires a lot of on the ground experience, a deep knowledge of fire behavior, and a thorough understanding of the local factors such as weather, plant health, and fuel types. 

Twisted Tree Fire and Forestry brings the experience, skills, and knowledge you need for a thorough and accurate assessment of your property.   All property assessments include the use of satellite imagery to assess surrounding property threats, and to get a good overview of the area to be looked at.  Local geology, watersheds, etc. are considered.

On the ground assessment covers a lot of factors.  We look at vehicle ingress and egress, bridge ratings and construction, bridge signage, and survivability of bridges in a fire.  We consider the fuel loading above and below any access roads, and the potential for roads to be blocked by falling trees or rolling debris.  Hazards such as overhead power lines and propane tanks are identified by location, and the impact of these hazards on fire suppression efforts is considered.

Fuel types are critical to the assessment, as is fuel density.  We consider transitions from fuel types, ladder fuel availability and types, fuel moisture, and changes in fire danger throughout the year.  Density of grasses, overhead canopies, ladder fuels, and other available fuels is thoroughly assessed.   Plant health plays an important role in overall fire danger, and is considered as well. 

Slopes play a huge role in wildfire intensity, as do terrain features such as saddles and tight draws.  Our experts look at critical factors like structure setback from slopes, fuel loading below saddles, and potential for smoke column attachment. 

Structures receive the most attention, and each structure will be thoroughly assessed for survivability in a wildfire.  Any identified hazards will be listed, and an overall survivability rating will be assigned.

After seeing what we need, Twisted Tree will put together a thorough and accurate assessment of potential wildfire impacts on your property, areas of concern, ecological health, and cover the possible solutions to any identified issues.  This gives the property owner the knowledge they need to make informed decisions on property management.  These assessments bring a lot of information!!