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Tree Removal in Grizzly Flats
Back in Grizzly Flats and need trees dealt with? Call us now at (530) 441-2256. Rebuilding, or making a burned lot safe? Tell us what still stands and we'll line up a local pro.
Grizzly Flats in a few lines
Grizzly Flats is 3,868 feet up, higher than Camino, with 1,093 residents at the 2020 census. It began as a gold camp in the 1850s. Prospectors named it for a grizzly bear that startled them in 1850.
It is the town nearest Baltic Peak. Fires in 1866 and 1869 wiped out most of the old settlement, so folks here have rebuilt before.
The Caldor Fire hit this town hard
About 500 buildings around town were destroyed by the Caldor Fire on August 17, 2021. Lost were the 1850s post office, a newer one, and the elementary school named for Walt Tyler. The evacuation order lifted on September 6.
Wikipedia says the fire started about four miles south of Grizzly Flats. It says two-thirds of the community was destroyed.
That's a lot of land with burned trees on it. If you're back on your lot, here's a list to work from:
- Black trunks and trees with no needles. These are the easy ones.
- Singed pines that look green on one side.
- Trees standing next to where a house used to be.
- Trees leaning toward the road or a neighbor.
- Stumps and root balls that need to go before you build.
Start with the trees that could fall on people or on the new house. Details are on our page for fire-damaged tree removal.
Rebuilding? Watch the logs
A big pile of burned logs may be worth money. If you sell them, state timber rules may apply. The rule for burned trees depends on the fire being no more than three years old when the notice goes in, or on a state of emergency order that covers your land. The Caldor Fire was in 2021, so ask your pro and CAL FIRE what applies now. Our permits page explains the basics.
Snow, steep ground and a long way up
Grizzly Flats sits higher than Camino, at 3,868 feet. So it gets real winter weather. After a fire, the soil is loose, too. Without roots to hold it, a slope can slide in heavy rain.
That matters when you pick a day. A truck on a steep, wet road is a risk. Late summer and fall are usually the best windows, though fire rules can limit when saws run. Ask the pro what the fire district allows on a dry, windy day.
Also think about the trees you plan to keep. Some burned pines and cedars will leaf out again. Others never will. A pro can check the cambium, which is the thin live layer under the bark, and tell you which is which.
What it costs here
| What you need | What the guides list |
|---|---|
| Tree 30 to 60 feet tall | $500 to $1,500 |
| Tree 60 to 80 feet tall | $850 to $2,000 |
| Tree over 80 feet tall | $1,200 to $2,500 and up |
| Grinding one stump | $120 to $400 |
| Land clearing, per acre | $1,200 to $8,000 |
Numbers from HomeGuide's pages on tree removal, stump grinding and land clearing (Nov 2025 to Feb 2026).
HomeGuide notes that a dead tree often costs extra, because the job is riskier. Book several trees on one visit and the per-tree price can drop by 10% to 25%.
Quick tips for burn-lot jobs
- Show the pro where the old foundation, septic and well are.
- Say which trees you want to keep.
- Ask if the pro will chip the small stuff and haul the rest.
Grizzly Flats questions
Do you serve the whole burn area?
We cover Grizzly Flats and the roads around it. Call (530) 441-2256 and tell us your road.
Should I take out every burned tree?
No. A pro can tell which ones are dead and which could live. Take out the ones that are a danger first.
Can I get a second price?
Yes. Ask on the phone and we'll try to find one.
Nearby
Neighbors are Somerset, Fair Play and Sly Park. The Camino home page has our price table and fire notes.