Cody, as a professional arborist that runs chain saws everyday, I agree with you that there is nothing better than a good Pro chainsaw. However, if someone wants to save some coin, the Stihl 250 chainsaws are about the best value there is. They are around $300 and they get used and abused by my company day in and day out, yet they always run and run well.

Useful information. I agree that property owners have the primary responsibility for defending themselves from devastating wildfires. Thanks for sharing. Ken

Rewatching this in 2017. Just moved to the country and all these videos have been incredibly helpful

As a firefighter from Northern California, I totally agree with what you have said so far. Everyone needs defensible space, no matter where you live, droughts and conditions change. Very well done. Cant wait to see part 2.

please don't fret. The same three people dislike every video. Nothing more than sad KZfaq haters.

Cody, I agree that homeowners have the primary responsibility to safeguard their homes. In the Colorado Springs/Waldo Canyon fire it seemed to me that they waited far too long to get adequate resources in place personnel wise-days into the fire they only listed 400 firefighters on the assignment. Having worked in the Sierras with Cal Fire I see that they have a massive initial response to wildland fires both in terms of equipment and personnel.

You are a mans man Cody!! Keep up the good work my friend!!

You had me at "corrupted, incompetent government" :)

Excellent video bro. Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see more.

perfect analogy.

Cementitious-based siding (James Hardie is a trademark name) for your home is an excellent choice, however, be aware that it is more difficult to work with than standard wood or wood-based siding. It will dull blades and bits at excessive rates, so go with a diamond impregnated cutting bit whenever possible.

I suspect this video will be one of your most popular ones. Very clear communication and excellent suggestions.

I agree wholeheartedly with you. We need to be responsible for ourselves and not depend on others to do it for us. Ty for sharing Mr.Wranglerstar

New revolver? I like the classic holster you are wearing.

I can only speak to my personal experience with the saw. I have experienced none of the issues you are having. As you can see from my videos I use my tools and demand much of them. I do not recommend products that I would not use personally. Amazon has a good return policy. Order a replacement and see if the second saw does not work better for you. WS

couldnt agree more. we are not cattle to be hearded. great videos Wrangelerstar...keep up the good work brother :)

Cody; I live south of the recent Paradise Fire. I am lucky to have rural property that is not a huge risk. still the majority of California Insurance companies will insure here. We have to go through Lloyd's of London and are frequently canceled and the rates are astronomical. One man a couple of miles from me said he pays $8000/yr and personal property is not included. As for how to protect your home....I have friends who have laced sprinklers on the roof, have an independent source of power for their well. We are required to have a defensible clear area around the property and Cal Fire wants the tree limbs cut to at least above head level. All debris should be collected and burned when permissible or shredded and spread. As far as the fire in Paradise, the Wind was blowing so hard that the fire was moving the length of a football field in about a second, so little chance to escape that. The upshot is the best defense if to keep the fire away from your home if possible, use fire resistant materials, if not possible to keep a green lawn that make a maintenance free yard, use metal siding or stucco in construction, tile roofs and keep your fingers crossed.

Hey, I live in Yakima, Wa. LOL Were neighbors Cody. Take care and thanks for the info

Very well done video. Lots of good information and a great review of tools. Thanks.

great video! thanks again!!

I am a 60 year old woman. I just felled trees with some workers, cut long thick branches with a pole chainsaw, rented a chipper. Then I purchased 2 pumps and fire hoses and set them up. I purchased fire saftey gloves, socks, face/head socks and respirators.

we are brothers in arms

Bear! I have a video posting on Sat that will answer this question.

The good stuff here the good things here they were made here

I think they have since changed it (but who knows?), but it was illegal to clear around your house up in the mountains. The whole "You're killing trees!" mentality (you've never heard of that have you? ;o)). I think it was the USFS that actually gave directives to the local forest services to clear and thin, but they ignored them. The reulst was severely overcrowded forests that got infested with bark beetles. Huge swaths of forest were killed and turned into tinder boxes. Then they started to clear, but it was a ridiculously expensive cost per tree (probably a supply and demand issue, with a little bit of gouging thrown in because it's easy to overcharge the government). This was going on about 15 years ago or more. I'm not sure if fire ever got into those areas. They have devastating wildfires there every year, and I don't really pay that close of attention since I moved to Arkansas.

Sage advice!

As always great video Cody! 3 dislikes...let me at 'em, just let me at em...grrr

Right on thanks for the info.

Thank you very much Cody. I live in CA and I may not need this now but it will be in the future. And 5+ for knowing what you want

Wow you have done some excellent research thank you!

Good video:)

It dawned on me while you described the "multi tools" and their draw backs. Our Government has become a "multi tool" and is doing too many things and not very well.

Agreed. I'm not sure if it was just this one unit or what. I love your channel due to your family values and product opinions, and occasional religious point of views (though understandably you have to keep them rare due to "haters" online). I've been following you for years since "wranglerbarn". Got a G19 and Versa max 2 thanks to your recommendations and love them both. Thanks for sharing your opinions.

first off. completely agree with most of your intro. In australia. it is the home owners responsibility for there house. if it is not maintined and there is no fire break around the house, we as a fire service are not responsible for loosing the house in a bushfire (wildfire). in my state there is legislation in place for bushfire prone areas that allowsthe homeowner to clear a 20m area around the house. That includes taking large trees completely clear without council (county) approval. in the recent january fires in my city, for the first few days we were assigned to asset protection only as the fire was to large to safely activly fight. My brigade lost 2 homes over that period that we were activly protecting due to lack of preperation on the home owners part. the one my truck lost was due to the sheer amount of trash around including car wrecks, piles of wood and lpg (propane) BBQ bottles and car tanks laying around the house and sheds. The one thing i do not agree that you mentioned is with evacuatuons. We in South aus are urged to have a survival plan and as soon as a fire is reported, to inplement, as fires here can grow to big sizes very very quickly. there is a choice you can make. Ether stay and fight or get out, if you are staying to fight. you have to be sure that you can save your house and not get injuryed as fighting to save a house that can not be saved is a suicide mission. As firefighters we can not tell anyone to leave. but to tell them it is our advice for them to. if you are ordered to leave by the police. there is a reason for it. fire might be to intense to try and save anything. not sure about what you are taught. but the main thing we are told in train when making decisions is that if it is not safe for us to try and fight. then we wont even try. We as fire fighters come first. then other people. then property and lastly environment.It becomes alot harder to defend homes against fire when there are untrained and inexperinced people all over the place trying to save whatever they can.

Cody, the best thing you can build your house out of is brick or stone, remember the big bad wolf couldn't blow the brick house down. Just saying,,,, Brickie from NY.

Music at the end of the video is from Return to Castle Wolfenstein, yes?

As a retired forester and professional gardener Just remember SAFETY first. Never use a power tool from a ladder and always ware chaps, eye and ear protection and hard hat when using power tools, A chain saw can cut very fast through trousers and a leg. I have seen it happen to others.

I assumed Oregon because of the Oregon Ducks hat he wears in some of the videos.. either way looks amazing over there.

Did you notice the buck skin dog sneaking thru the video around the 147? Was that a Coyote? I enjoyed this new video as a rural property owner you are correct for our respose in prepardness. Thanks for showing us the tools and useage of each. Looking forward to more of this series.

good vid subbed

Ordered the Bahco Laplander from amazon and tried it out based on several videos I've seen you do about it. My experience was short and sweet. The locking mechanism was cheezy plastic, in my opinion. It wound up breaking the first time i used it. It then wouldn't lock the blade in. It could be pulled out without pushing the button. I wound up returning it. Not sure if mine was just bad or not; it worked fine out of the box.

Question for you: I totally agree that staying and defending can be a great option. But you mentioned the wall of flames at 200' coming at you. If I were to try and stay and defend and missed the chance to evacuate, how would you recommend sheltering in place to fight what is remaining? I want to protect my home, but don't really want to die in the process. Any thoughts?

You vs fire... I need some popcorn

I'm from Yakima!!!

as a Saw Mechanic and now, department manager, I prefer what works and when it comes to chainsaws, anything pre-1996, at least in California will always win, hands down over anything after. Find a nice example and it will cut for 30-40 years, nonstop without too much complexity in repair.

Nice job! I appreciate your attitude and common sense. It seems common sense isn't as common as it used to be. I've seen some of your other videos and I would like to get your take on the "SAFE JACK" accessories for the Hi-Lift type jack.

2:49 dog randomly starts chasing a (cat?)

I like my Dolmar 6400. Pro saw cheaper than Stihls/husky's and in my option better built. Plus with $100 upgrade you can have an 82cc pro saw with less weight than any stihl or husky.

Good to see the dog is getting his share of cat meat :)

wow, that view at the beginning was amazing. Where are you located?

Great video. I see you are carrying a wheel gun. When did you change and what is the reason? Just my curious nature :) Thanks....

have you practiced with your "John Wayne" pistol belt, or even the pistol? Just try to reload your favorite six shooter with that rig.

Yes you are right truck was trying to fix all that and the corrupt government that play I want to go back to the way exactly what happened

im surprised you choose a MS260 over a MS460. seeing as you live out west

I love silky. I use them most days and wouldn't go for anything else

I usually wear them on the outside, and can still wear my belt. There unobtrusive, in my opinion, hope that helps.

We got a 60 inch bar

cant find one in england :/ any help?

lol cat a dog

Its not up yep. Patience....

The Stihl 260 is a good saw it is the one I reach for it is well worth the money. That pole saw has me interested a basic saw is hard to find.

I think if I lived in an area prone to forest fires, I would build my home out of concrete blocks, rocks, bricks and metal or tile roofing material.

Finally, buy an oxygen tank

★★★★★

Move to the desert.

Guess what I have one of those shawls and guess what guess what Rihanna guys don't have a chainsaw cuz we live in the stupid City told by the government what to do