Small fire burns on Highway 20

High temperatures, strong wind, and low humidity this week had local fire officials cautioning residents about fire safety awareness.

“These conditions are the perfect ingredients for fire,” said Colusa City Fire Chief Randy Dunn.

The National Weather Service predicts triple digit temperatures through Saturday, but expects calm winds.

A small grass fire Monday on Highway 20 and Westcott Road in Colusa burned for only minutes, but Dunn said the tiny blaze still serves as a warning to locals that fire season has arrived.

Dunn said the cause of the fire was likely a cigarette thrown out the window of a passing car. The small blaze was about 50 feet from a residence, but did not threaten the structure.

“Fortunately, they just mowed this area last week,” Dunn said. “If this grass had been free-standing, it could have burned much faster, it’s a good reminder that people need to maintain their properties for fire safety.”

The deadline for local weed abatement was yesterday and officials said residents that fail to clear the weeds and tall grass from their properties could face the prospect of paying their local fire departments to clear it for them.

County fire officials have said residents that do not clear their properties could also be forced to cover the costs of fire suppression as well as the cost of any property damage should fire occur on their non-maintained property.

“People need to be aware of their surroundings. Don’t throw cigarettes out the window, be careful of hot machinery around dry grass, and use common sense,” Dunn said.

For more information about the weed abatement program, residents are encouraged to contact their local fire departments.

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