Time to Clear the Brush Away

“The most important thing that our residents should know is that burning brush and material, and a residence in a fire condition do not make good friends,” Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said at a press conference Wednesday.

With another dry fire season looming and the state still in a serious drought, Augustin discussed the importance of brush and fire clearing at the West Pasadena Arroyo-side home of Robin Salzer and Ann-Marie Villicana.

Augustin said that April 1 marked the beginning of the annual High Hazard Vegetation Management program, and that fire department staff would be conducting approximately 4,000 home inspections over the next three months.

Residents were also mailed a brochure in March detailing the best ideas and methods for brush clearance.

“We recognize that a working partnership between the residents, their neighbors, and the City of Pasadena is the best defense against fire conditions,” said Augustin.

According to the chief, fire hazard severity zones are based on an evaluation of weather, fuel, topography and previous fire history.

As he walked through the local yard, he pointed out good uses of brush clearing and offered additional advice.

“Local residents throughout Pasadena need a good defensible space,” said, adding that homeowners need to constantly be vigilant about brush and foliage growing too close to a home.

“As they walk their residences, they should make sure that they have adequate clearance,’ he said,  “making sure that there’s no trees or foliage that’s too close to their home, and that there’s no material that’s right up against their home that could easily catch fire as a wildfire is coming through.”

Augustin continued, “Give your local fire department the opportunity to protect your home, and by doing that with that defensible space, you can really help yourself and your fire department.”

More information on brush clearance regulations is available at www.cityofpasadena.net/fire.