Fire Season Still Going Strong

Salvucci used a nearby hillside to demonstrate his point on clearing. Three homes stand side-by-side at the edge of the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club golf course. The course is defensible space, an area that gives firefighters an extra buffer zone, allowing them to fight the fire from a safe area. One home has iceplant climbing up the hill; most of the dead vegetation is cleared and a watering system is well placed. A neighboring home has half of its hillside covered in green vegetation, but the other half is dry grass.

"This needs to be cleared," Salvucci said, referring to the dry portion of the landscaping.

The third home has green vegetation that covers the hill, but it's overgrown and underneath a balcony patio.

"This can be hazardous," Salvucci said.

At the end of each inspection a yellow card was placed on the homeowner's door, either indicating that they were in compliance or explaining what they must do to pass a future inspection.

A resident stopped Salvucci and asked what he was doing. As he explained the process, she pointed out the fact that clearing brush can be an expensive project.

"You know, it will costs over $600 to hire someone to clear the brush," she said.

"I know and I'm sorry," Salvucci said.

Although the cost is high, the resident agreed that it is still cheaper than losing her home.

"We understand it can be expensive, sometimes over $1000," Salvucci said.

However, that pales to the alternative of losing property or lives.

Fire departments are patient with residents, allowing a reasonable amount of time for clearance. If property owners have a problem complying, they can contact the station.

"We will work with them," Salvucci said.

Property owners within LA County Fire area who ignore repeated inspection clearance notices will have fines levied against them. The county can fine the homeowner a $200 administrative penalty and place an additional $231 special assessment on the homeowner's annual property tax bill. If the area is not taken care of, the County Agriculture Department will send out brush clearing crews to do the work and will bill the property owner.