A Family of Companies
Complete Land Management — All Under One Roof
A-1 Forestry Group is part of the Mikala Corporation family, working alongside A-1 Tree Service and A-1 Vegetation Management to provide a seamless, start-to-finish approach to land care. Together, our teams deliver comprehensive solutions — from mastication and hazardous tree removal to vegetation control and regrowth prevention.
With shared expertise and resources, we’re able to handle every phase of a project efficiently and safely, offering our clients a true one-stop solution for fire prevention, land management, and environmental restoration.
Defensible Space & Fire Prevention
A-1 Forestry Group provides comprehensive defensible-space services to protect homes, neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure throughout Northern California. Our goal is to create strategic buffers that reduce wildfire intensity, improve firefighter access, and safeguard both people and property.
DEFENSIBLE SPACE & WILDFIRE MITIGATION
Northern California’s Mastication & Defensible Space Professionals
Creating Safe, Sustainable Buffers Through Strategic Fuel Management
At A-1 Forestry Group, we build defensible space using precision mastication and vegetation management techniques designed to reduce wildfire intensity and improve property protection. Our crews remove overgrown brush, ladder fuels, and encroaching vegetation while preserving healthy, established trees that strengthen forest stability.
Each project is tailored to the terrain and vegetation type, providing effective fire breaks and defensible zones that protect homes, communities, and infrastructure.
Our operators are equipped with advanced mastication machines capable of handling steep slopes, rocky terrain, and dense vegetation—allowing us to efficiently clear high-risk areas that many contractors can’t access. Every defensible-space project begins with a site evaluation to identify hazardous fuels, tree density, and the most efficient treatment plan for lasting results.
We follow CAL FIRE defensible-space standards and local fire-safety regulations to ensure compliance while maintaining ecological integrity. Our work doesn’t stop at creating clearance zones; we also focus on long-term fire prevention by reducing re-burn potential, improving accessibility for emergency responders, and establishing maintainable buffer areas that stay effective year after year.
A-1 Forestry Group’s collaboration with sister companies under Mikala Corporation means we can handle every phase of wildfire mitigation—mastication, hazard tree removal, and vegetation control to prevent regrowth—making us a one-stop solution for comprehensive fire defense and land management in Northern California.
CAL FIRE’s 100-Foot Defensible Space Law
In California, defensible space isn’t just recommended — it’s required by law. CAL FIRE mandates that property owners maintain up to 100 feet of clearance around structures to reduce wildfire risk and improve firefighter safety. A-1 Forestry Group helps homeowners and land managers meet and maintain these standards through professional mastication, vegetation removal, and long-term fire-fuel management.
UNDERSTANDING DEFENSIBLE SPACE REQUIREMENTS
Zone 0: Ember-Resistant Zone (0–5 feet)
Keep this area completely free of flammable materials — no mulch, vegetation, or combustible items near decks, siding, or eaves.
Zone 1: Lean, Clean, and Green Zone (5–30 feet)
Remove dead vegetation, trim trees to maintain spacing, and reduce ladder fuels that can carry fire from the ground into the canopy.
Zone 2: Reduced Fuel Zone (30–100 feet)
Thin vegetation, create horizontal and vertical spacing between trees and shrubs, and remove accumulated debris and dead wood.
A-1 Forestry Group performs CAL FIRE–compliant defensible-space creation and maintenance across Northern California. Our crews combine precision mastication, hazard tree mitigation, and vegetation management to bring properties into compliance — safely, efficiently, and sustainably.
Learn more about California’s official defensible space requirements on the CAL FIRE website HERE.
WHY CHOOSE US
Experience That Speaks for Itself
Backed by more than 30 years of tree-care and land-management expertise through our parent company, A-1 Tree Service, A-1 Forestry Group combines proven industry knowledge with modern equipment and field-trained operators. Our crews bring precision, professionalism, and a deep understanding of Northern California’s terrain to every project we take on.
Trusted Across Northern CA
From public contracts to private land projects, we’re known for reliability, clear communication, and lasting results.
Experienced Field Crews
Our operators have years of hands-on experience managing large-scale fire prevention and land-clearing projects safely and efficiently.
Fireline-Qualified Operators
Trained to meet state and federal wildfire-prevention standards, our crews deliver safe, precise, and compliant work every time.
Advanced Equipment Fleet
We use industry-leading forestry and mastication equipment built to handle tough terrain while minimizing environmental impact.
SEE IT IN ACTION
Defensible Space Project – Shasta Lake City
This project in Shasta Lake City focused on creating defensible space along wildland interface areas where dense brush and understory vegetation posed a wildfire hazard. Using precision mastication equipment, our crew cleared overgrown fuels and re-established safe access routes to support future fire response and prevention efforts.
GET IN TOUCH
Request a Quote for Your Next Project
Our team handles land management projects of every scale — from private property improvements to city, county, and state contracts. Share a few details about your project below, and we’ll reach out to schedule a bid walk or consultation at your convenience.
