NOVATO, Calif. - The small Marin town of Novato is creating a so-called Shaded Fuel Break to keep small gash and brush fires from climbing up into the top of trees, setting off major firestorms.

This as more and more towns are saying, ‘Gimme a break – a fire break.’

Vegetation has grown out of control for generations, and will consume many towns if they don't conduct preemptive strikes. Novato is a good example.

Wildland fire strategies

Firehand crews and contractors have been creating the Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break, a joint project of Novato Fire Department, Marin Wildfire Authority and Cal Fire for two years. The hills and mountains around the Marin Valley Mobile Home Country club were some of the first treated.

As one map shows, Novato is surrounded by a lot of critical r

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