Corning - Fire Chief gets tuff on weeds and brush

Cut weeds or get fined
City issues fire hazard clean-up warning
Friday, Apr 17 2009, 7:10 pm

Corning Fire Chief Martin Spannaus looks at a yard that doesn't meet the city's weed abatement standards.
- Photo by Julie R. Johnson

City residents have until June 15 to clean up their property.

It’s time to cut down weeds and brush before they dry up and become fuel for fires.

Those who don’t meet a June 15 deadline could get fined, Corning Fire Chief Martin Spannaus said.

“The potential is out there for fires that could not destroy only one home, but many,” said Spannuas. “If we have to come out and clear property, the property owner gets the bill and/or gets a fine.”

He said the removal of weeds and brush also helps keep vermin and pests away.

“Now is the time to get ready for the fire season,” Spannaus explained. “Don’t just clear grass and weeds, clean up bushes, clean up garbage and the junk lying around. All of these can be fuel for fire, light flash fuels that burn into heavier fuels like structures and heavy brush.”

Clearing debris, dry grass, weeds and brush away from structures is especially important, he said. Mowed grass can be no more than 4 inches above the ground, according to city regulations.

“We may require additional abatement due to terrain, height of growth, location, brush or use of land,” said Spannaus.

The county is also issuing abatement notices after a September update of its fire hazard abatement ordinance. Property owners or occupants will be notified of non-compliance and allowed 14 days to abate the hazard. If fire agencies have to clear the hazard, the clean-up costs will be added to the owner’s property tax bill, and the property owner could be fined or jailed.

“We currently have firefighters going out every day inspecting properties in an effort to educate and keep residents in compliance to the abatement regulations,” said Shane Galvez, a Cal Fire engineer in Corning. The most important regulation is keeping a 100-foot clearance around all structures, he said.

“I can’t express how important clearing space around structures is,” said Galvez. “When clearing, it is best to disc the area, but if you can’t, be sure and cut the grass and weeds extremely short.”

According to the Tehama County Rural Fire Department/Cal Fire 2008 report, the agencies responded to more than 300 fires last year and conducted more than 3,630 defensible space inspections.

Source: Corning Observer - Link