Pasadena to Begin Annual Brush Inspections in Fire-Prone Areas

The Fire Department will begin its annual hazardous brush inspections April 1, with officials stressing heightened urgency this year following the recent Eaton Fire.

Fire Chief Chad Augustin said the inspections are a critical step in reducing wildfire risk and protecting neighborhoods, particularly in areas designated as high risk by the state.

The department plans to inspect 4,611 properties located within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, as determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections will continue through June 30, with fire personnel conducting field visits across affected neighborhoods.

City officials said residents in those zones should expect to see inspectors in their communities and are encouraged to prepare their properties in advance to meet clearance requirements designed to slow or stop the spread of fire.

Among the requirements, property owners must remove dead trees and keep grass and weeds trimmed within 100 feet of structures, including those on neighboring properties, and within 10 feet of roadways. In especially hazardous areas, clearance requirements may extend up to 200 feet from structures and 50 feet from fences or roads.

Vegetation maintenance rules also include spacing trees and shrubs at least 18 feet apart in certain zones, removing low-hanging branches and combustible material within three feet of the ground, and clearing any vegetation that overhangs or is adjacent to structures.

Additional requirements call for trimming vegetation away from roadways to a height of 13.5 feet to allow emergency vehicle access, maintaining at least five feet of vertical clearance between roofs and overhanging branches, and ensuring trees are kept at least 10 feet away from chimneys.

Officials noted that some grasses and low vegetation may be allowed beyond 30 feet from structures if they are maintained at less than 18 inches in height and serve to prevent soil erosion.

In addition to improving safety, the inspections may also benefit homeowners seeking insurance coverage. The city said many insurance providers accept Pasadena’s inspection reports as proof of compliance with fire safety standards.

Residents needing documentation for insurance purposes can request a copy of their inspection report from their local fire station.

City officials said the inspection program is part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk and improve preparedness in Pasadena’s most vulnerable areas.