brush clearing

CHIEF’S CORNER: IMPACT OF COVID-19 AND BRUSH FIRE SEASON

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
 
March 31, 2020 (San Diego) – It’s important to remember this years brush fire season will be a very active one with so much rain over the winter months. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 virus is putting many at risk as it’s hampering mitigation efforts with local fire agencies.
 
From brush mitigation management, prescribed burns, to multi-agency training for firefighters, local, state and federal fire agencies are trying to adhere to the country’s new social distancing guidelines to slow the spread.
 
The U.S. Forest Service, announced last week that it was suspending prescribed burns. This is an effective way to reduce hazardous vegetation from hillsides.
 
Fire Chiefs’ concern now is that we’re going to be more reactive to fire than proactive. We need the publics help more than ever. We’ll do our part, but the public has to do their part!
 

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THE GOATS ARE BACK—CLEARING BRUSH IN LEMON GROVE

 

April 20, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- The City of Lemon Grove, along with its fire department, Heartland Fire & Rescue, will be taking steps to clear brush from eight and a-half acres near Lawton Drive and Camino De Las Palmas in Lemon Grove. Goats will be used as part of the process in clearing heavy brush to minimize fire danger and help create defensible space for homes in this area.

ELM began delivering 150 adult and 50 juvenile goats (kids) on Monday, April 18, 2016. The brush clearing event will last approximately 2 weeks. The goats may be visible to those traveling along the 125 freeway in the area of Lemon Grove during this weed abatement process.


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THE GOATS ARE BAAAA-CK: CLEARING BRUSH IN LEMON GROVE

    

June 5, 2013 (Lemon Grove)--Two hundred goats are munching away in Lemon Grove, clearing about an acre of dry brush a day. 

The City of Lemon Grove, along with its fire department, Heartland Fire & Rescue, has brought in the four footed brush-clearing team to create defensible space that helps firefighters protect homes from wildfire.

The goats are at work near Central Ave and Liberty Charter High School, and may be visible to motorists along State Route 125.


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CAL FIRE TARGETS ONE-THIRD OF STATE FOR CLEARANCE: SEEKS EXEMPTION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

 

Your right to challenge clearance projects may be taken away

UPDATE: COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED TO APRIL 8

By Miriam Raftery

Updated March 28, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--The California Board of Forestry and CalFire has released a proposal to target about 38 million acres (1/3rd of the entire state) to be burned, chewed-up, or sprayed with herbicides. This increases its habitat clearance program five times over current levels in what the California Chaparral Institute (CCI) calls a “major threat” to wildlife.

Robert S. Taylor Jr., a fire specialist with the National Park Service, has also blasted the proposal as a “very poor use of public funds” that would cause irreversible environmental damage. “I strongly recommend that Cal Fire withdraw the current proposal and produce a new one based on best available science," he wrote.  The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has also criticized the plan.


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BANNER FIRE STARTED BY WEED-CLEARING EQUIPEMNT: KNOW THE RIGHT WAY TO CLEAR BRUSH

 

CAL-FIRE offers tips for safe brush-clearing

June 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – CAL FIRE has sent a warning advising homeowners to use caution when clearing dead brush and grass.  While creating defensible space is a critical step to prepare for wildfire season, as fire danger rises, unsafe use of power equipment can actually start a fire.


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IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR WILDFIRE

Residents Urged to Clear Defensible Space Ahead of Peak Fire Season

May 27, 2012 (Jamul) – On May 22, Cal Fire and County officials, including County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, gave a tour with the homeowners of a correctly cleared space around a Jamul home.  With vegetation drying out and summer drawing near now is the best time to make sure homes are protected by 100 feet of defensible space.  Cal Fire Chief, Thom Porter led the tour and provided a map of high-risk areas that have not burned recently.


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GETTING THEIR GOATS: HOMEOWNERS HIRE FOUR-FOOTED BRUSH CLEARING CREW


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WEED WHACKER CAUSED SPRING VALLEY FIRE, PLACING 50 HOMES IN JEOPARDY

Fire official warns against use of metal blades to cut brush

June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Clearing brush with a metal-bladed weed whacker set off sparks which caused today’s four-acre blaze on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley, said Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District.

 

“Metal blades are not a good idea for cutting weeds,” he said, adding that plastic strips or blades are safer. Ironically, clearing brush, while important to create defensible space, can actually cause a fire if caution is not taken.  Villareal also warned against spilling flammable gasoline while refilling gas-powered weed cutters.


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