Deadline nears to clear fire hazards

Colusa County residents have just 12 days left to clear away overgrown weeds, tall grass and other potential fire hazards from their property.

With summer looming, local fire chiefs are trying to get word to residents about the mandatory weed abatement policy through out Colusa County.

“The point is to eliminate potential fire hazards now, before the (fire season) really gets going,” said Colusa firefighter Brad Long. “By June all the brown grass and weeds need to be cleared.”

Long, who heads the abatement effort for the City of Colusa, said about 50 notices have already been sent to residents warning them about the dangers to their property. The first notices went out late April, he said.

Tenants and property owners that fail to clear their properties by the May 15 deadline could face the prospect of paying their local fire department to clear it for them.

“After the final deadline we will start the abatement process,” said Colusa City Fire Chief Randy Dunn. “The owner will pick-up the costs of the abatement, including any administrative costs as well.” Dunn said the abatement costs start around $500 minimum.

Williams City Fire Chief Jeff Gilbert said citizens should also be aware of the financial risk they accept if they refuse to comply with the abatement policy. “If a fire starts on your property and jumps to another, then you’re responsible for not only the fire damage, but also for the cost of the fire suppression,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert said weed abatement is a fire safety issue every year and many do not take the threat seriously until it is too late. “It’s very serious,” Gilbert said. “But, there are a lot of options for people to take. The bottom line is - protect your property and clean up the weeds.”

Arbuckle Fire Chief Casey Cox encouraged residents to contact their local fire departments if they are concerned about meeting the abatement deadline.

“People should know that we’re taking a ‘no-blink’ attitude this season,” Cox said. “We have so many properties that are not being properly maintained and it’s tough when you have one person that takes care of their property and another that doesn’t.”

Cox said the main purpose of the fire safety message is always prevention.

“If we can prevent a fire now, we won’t have to worry about fire damage later,” he said.

Contact Robert Parsons at 458-2121 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.