Fuel ladder

[1][2] Common ladder fuels include tall grasses, shrubs, and tree branches, living and dead.

Potential fuel ladders should be removed to reduce the risk of fire bridging the gap to the canopy.

[citation needed] The desired result is to create a situation in which a low-burning fire could burn to the trunk of a tree, which is protected by its bark, without having thinner, more flammable branches, leaves or needles within easy reach of the fire.

Non-vegetation fuel sources such as woodpiles, wooden fenceposts and structures should also be considered.

[citation needed] The intent is to maintain a break in vertical and horizontal continuity so that, if for example a woodpile caught fire, it would not be positioned next to shrubs or directly under trees that could then easily catch fire.