Remote Masticators Tackle Vegetation in Incline Village’s ‘Worm’ Fire-Prevention Project

In response to recent wildfires that have scorched the Reno area, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District has launched a vegetation-reduction initiative around Incline Village, Nevada. The program, named “The Worm” for its elongated shape, covers 176.5 acres of brush and forest that border the upscale lakeside neighborhood. Using remote-controlled masticators supplied by BurnBot, crews can grind down vegetation up to 132 feet deep while minimizing environmental impact.

The effort is a partnership between the Incline Village General Improvement District, state forestry officials and a Better Together Nevada Shared Stewardship grant. After clearing 62.6 acres in July 2025, work is progressing through phase two with a target completion by mid-September. The goal is not to stop a fire outright but to deprive it of fuel, thereby lowering flame intensity and improving firefighters’ chances of containment.