Most woody shrubs will re-sprout after a wildfire, mostly from the base or the roots. To tell what parts of the shrub are still alive, scrape off a little of the bark near the base of the main stem. If the underlying tissue is white and moist, that stem is still alive; if it is brown and dry, it is dead. Prune the dead parts of the shrub off to decrease fuels.

If the shrubs in question are species that are fire-prone (flammable) and are close to your home, consider removing them altogether.

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