Weed Abatement season is here! Beginning May 1, weed abatement and/or removal of all combustible vegetation within the Fig Garden Fire Protection District shall be in accordance with the following requirements:
A. All vacant and/or undeveloped properties 5 (five) acres or less shall be disced (or mowed) in their entirety.
B. All vacant and/or undeveloped properties greater than 5 (five) acres shall maintain a minimum 30’ (thirty) feet wide, disced fuel break around the entire property. Additional fuel breaks may be required at the sole discretion of the Fire Marshal (or designee) to divide the property into smaller areas to separate fuel loads.
C. All vacant and/or undeveloped properties greater than 5 (five) acres must also maintain a minimum 30’ (thirty) feet wide, crisscrossed, disced fuel break, leaving sections of no more than five (5) acres. Additional fuel breaks may be required at the sole discretion of the Fire Marshal (or designee) to divide the property into smaller areas to separate fuel loads.
D. A minimum thirty (30’) (thirty) foot wide fuel break of combustible vegetation shall also be maintained around any structure, regardless of the structure’s size, use, or construction type. Exception: Properties, including one and two-family dwellings, that have fully irrigated and maintained landscape areas and irrigated vegetation, as determined by the Fire Marshal (or designee), are not subject to item D.
E. All tree branches must maintain at least ten (10’) feet of clearance from structures and chimneys.
F. All sagebrush, chaparral, tumbleweeds, and other similar combustible brush or weeds shall be removed from the property.
G. Vegetation, weeds, grass, vines, or any other type of growth that may be capable of endangering lives and/or property through fire must be cut down and removed by the property owner.
H. Property owners must also mitigate any additional fire hazard(s) as determined by the Fire Marshal (or designee).
I. Concerns related to blight should be forwarded to the applicable code enforcement agency.
Definitions and Associated Performance Standards:
Discing – Consists of breaking and turning over earth/soil, in such a way as to completely bury all vegetation under the earth/soil. Discing is not considered complete or compliant until there is insufficient fuel to ignite or permit the spread of an unwanted fire.
Fuel Break – A strategically located area where the volume and arrangement of vegetation has been managed to limit fire intensity, fire severity, rate of spread, fire potential, and/or ember production. Fuel breaks shall be a minimum of 30’ wide
Hand Weed Whip – (also known as a manual grass whip or weed cutter), a nonpowered tool that is used to clear tall grass, weeds, and brush in areas where a lawn mower cannot reach, such as along fence lines, ditches, or around barns. The removal of weeds and/or vegetation using a whip shall be such that there is insufficient fuel to ignite or permit the spread of an unwanted fire. Clippings from whipping shall be removed from the property or dispersed such that they are an insufficient fuel to ignite or permit the spread of an unwanted fire.
Handwork – Includes weed eating or hoeing earth/soil and the removal of weeds and/or vegetation such that there is insufficient fuel to ignite or permit the spread of an unwanted fire. Clippings from handwork shall be removed from the property or dispersed such that they are insufficient fuel to ignite or permit the spread of an unwanted fire.
Mastication – A land-clearing method using machinery like excavators or skid steers equipped with rotary grinders to chew up brush, small trees, and woody vegetation into small mulch such that the mulch is an insufficient fuel to ignite or permit the spread of an unwanted fire.
Mowing – Includes mechanical removal of vegetation such that there is insufficient fuel to ignite or permit the spread of an unwanted fire, and the remaining vegetation is no higher than four (4) inches in height. Clippings from mowing shall be removed from the property or dispersed such that they are insufficient fuel to ignite or permit the spread of an unwanted fire.
If you have any questions, please email us at figgarden@fresno.gov.