A Year-Round Commitment to Safety

 Staff Reports

Chino Valley – Keeping your home and property clear of brush and rubbish is a year-long commitment to fire safety.

According to the Chino Valley First District, inspections for proper clearance of tumbleweeds and other combustible materials will begin on Aug. 25. Courtesy reminder cards were mailed at the end of July to Chino and Chino Hills residents with a previous history of overgrown vegetation on their property.

Tumbleweeds, combustible vegetation and rubbish must be cleared by Aug. 25.  If a hazard exists on or after that time, property owners will be charged a $130 non-compliance fee – and owners are still responsible for clearing their property.

Properties that are not cleared by the re-inspection date of Oct. 14 will be cleared by a contractor hired by the Fire District. In addition to the cost to clear the hazard, an additional $200 administration fee will be billed per parcel. This applies to all parcels, including adjoining parcels. The legal owner of record at the time the property is cited is responsible for all fees and charges.

Fire District officials will focus on the removal of tumbleweeds during this inspection period because of the fire hazard they pose. Tumbleweeds are a high fire danger due to their propensity to break loose once dry and be carried by the wind to areas where they can accumulate along flammable vegetation, wood fences, homes and other combustible materials.

Property owners are required to maintain their properties clear of tumbleweeds, combustible vegetation and rubbish year round. Below are some helpful tips for clearing vegetation in a safe and effective manner.

• Use trimming, mowing and power equipment before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. (it is cooler at that time with more moisture in the air, making fires harder to start).
• Never use a lawn mower in dry vegetation. Use a weed trimmer to cut down dry weeds and grass.
• Keep a cell phone nearby and call 911 immediately in case of a fire. Never put yourself in harm’s way to extinguish an advancing fire.

For more information about the weed abatement program, please visit our website at www.chinovalleyfire.org, or call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (909) 902-5285.