In addition to preventing an estimated 2.7 million tons of carbon emissions and $2.8 billion in damages, UC Davis researchers determined that fuel treatments prevented nearly 60 premature deaths.By Steven RodasWork to reduce excess flammable vegetation in forests warded off the release of 2.7 million tons of carbon dioxide, averted nearly 60 premature deaths and avoided $2.8 billion in damages in the Western U.S., according to a new study from the University of California, Davis.