Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/26/2009 05:42 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/26/2009 05:43 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRES, NOW!
San Andreas, CA....The Tuolumne/Calaveras Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) reminds foothill residents and property owners that wildfires occur year-round, even in the Mother Lode. Flammable vegetation around any home, whether a full-time residence or a weekend cabin, threatens the safety of neighboring homes, firefighters, and the surrounding natural resources that we all cherish. We urge you to take advantage of cool spring weather to finish clearing defensible space around your home....
Remove all dead vegetation within 100 feet of all structures (or to the property line, whichever is closest). The only exception are dead leaves, pine needles, and mowed dry grass beyond 30 feet from structures that may be left on the ground to a depth that will not contribute to fire spread into brush or trees. Live vegetation must be thinned and pruned to provide the horizontal and vertical spacing that will interrupt fire’s progress to or from a house or other building. Thin or remove thickets of seedling and sapling trees. These will eventually suffer die-out, while stealing precious moisture and nutrients from mature trees struggling to survive.
Remove all dead limbs within 15 feet of the ground. Prune live limbs up at least 6 feet so that you can easily walk under them. Smaller trees should be pruned about 1/3 of their height. If tree canopies interconnect, or if there is mountain misery (bear clover), other shrubs or brush beneath them, remove limbs within 15 feet of the ground. Aim for an open, park-like appearance.
Before burning each day, you MUST check burn day status by calling the Air Pollution Control District with jurisdiction over your area. Permissive burn days are determined on the basis of air quality, not whether it’s actually safe to burn. Wind may carry sparks or embers to nearby dead leaves, needles and grass that rapidly dry out after rain or snow. If they crunch underfoot, they will burn. Clear flammable material 10 feet from all burn piles, and keep a shovel, rake, and charged water hose near your burn pile.
Be a good neighbor: burn safely (and legally), and make sure your defensible space is ready to face a wildfire.
For more information about defensible space requirements, as well as safe burning practices, contact your local CAL FIRE station, or visit www.fire.ca.gov.
For burn day status call:
Calaveras County: (209) 754-6600
Tuolumne County: (209) 533-5598
San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties: (877) 429-2876
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