A SPECIAL REPORT: FIRE SEASON PREPARATION : ‘Like a Bomb’
Officials fear that the upcoming fire season may be one of the worst in memory. “The exceptional amount of rain this year has caused the grasses to grow like crazy,” said L.A. Fire Capt. Paul Quagliata. “This growth is so dense with dry dead material, it’s like a bomb waiting to happen.”
Prune or Pay
Glendale Fire Capt. Dean Carriger, above, inspects a hillside of ryegrass. The fire season doesn’t begin until next month, but Los Angeles inspectors have started issuing citations, including 300 last week to owners who had not properly safeguarded their properties. Noncompliance could result in fines, plus the cost of hiring a landscaper to do the job for violators.
What to Do
Grass should be reduced to 3 inches tall. Shrubs and brush within 200 feet of structures should be meticulously trimmed, and tree branches should be cut away from chimneys. Also,leaves, needles, twigs and other combustible matter should be removed from roofs.
Mulch Rules
Cut vegetation can be mulched and spread back onto lawns to retain ground moisture. Such material should not exceed 3 inches deep within 30 feet of any structure. For more compliance information, visit the Fire Department Web site at www.lafd.org.
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