Brush clearance mishap cause of brush fire at 1200 block of Roberto Lane + LAFD’s Brush Clearance Requirements
Sunday’s brush fire on 1200 block of Roberto Lane
Last Sunday, May 17, 2020, at approximately 2:00 PM, a brush fire broke out in the back yard area of a newly-build house on the 1200 block of Roberto Lane. According to LAFD, the brush fire was caused by a brush clearing mishap and was kept at bay by alert neighbors at adjacent properties with their garden hoses until firefighters arrived.
Although the exact cause of the mishap was not revealed, the Bel-Air Association wants to remind residents that fire season is year-round and that brush clearance can be dangerous. For ease of reference, below are links to LAFD educational videos, and the new Ordinance Number 185789 which addresses not only metal blade weed whackers, but also new regulations required for brush clearance in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ).
Here are links to short, informative LAFD brush clearance videos:
Ordinance No 185789 non-ferrous/non-sparking metal cutting blades and brush clearance regulations (aka as weed whacker ordinance).
Property owners take notice of Brush Clearance Requirements:
• Non-ferrous/non-sparking metal cutting blades are to be used
• Grass or brush clearance operations shall not be conducted on red flag days
• Individuals engaged in grass or brush clearance operations shall not engage in any other activities during their actual clearance of grass or brush.
• Individuals engaged in grass or brush clearance operations shall use an appropriate extinguishing agent immediately extinguished a fire.
• All fires, regardless of size, shall be reported immediately via the 9-1-1 system to the Fire Department
• A Class 2-A tow (2) gallon water fire extinguisher, pressurized garden hose with attached nozzle (fully open), or comparable pressurized Class 2-A extinguishing device, shall be within 10 feet of any grass or brush clearance operation.
• Where a gasoline container is present at the site of the grass or brush clearance operation, a minimum 4A 60 BC dry chemical fire extinguisher shall be within 10 feet of the brush clearance operation.
• A cell phone capable of dialing 9-1-1 shall be charged and readily accessible to the grass or brush clearance operation.
• A safety strap shall be used at all times for any tool or appliance with hot exhaust. Hot exhaust shall not come in contact with any brush, grass, flash fuels, or other flammable material.
LAFD Brush Clearance Requirements
BRUSH CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
Owners of property located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) shall maintain their property in accordance with the Fire Code (L.A.M.C. 57.322). Year-round compliance shall be maintained as described below on all native brush, weeds, grass, trees and hazardous vegetation within 200 feet of any structures/buildings, whether those structures are on the owner’s property or adjoining properties, and within 10 feet of any combustible fence or roadway/driveway used for vehicular travel.
1. Areas within 200 feet of structures and/or 10 feet of roadside surfaces or combustible fence: Grass shall be cut to three inches in height. Native brush shall be reduced in quantity to three inches in height. This does not apply to individual native shrubs spaced a minimum of 18 feet apart, provided such shrubs are trimmed up from the ground to 1/3 of their height with all dead material being removed (see diagram below).
2. For trees taller than 18 feet, trim lower branches so no foliage is within six feet of the ground, and remove all dead material. For trees and shrubs less than 18 feet, remove lower branches to 1/3 of their height, and remove all dead material (see diagram below).
3. Trees shall be trimmed up so the foliage is no closer than 10 feet from the outlet of a chimney (see diagram below).
4. All roof surfaces shall be maintained free of substantial accumulation of leaves, needles, twigs and any other combustible matter. Maintain five feet of vertical clearance between roof surfaces and portions of overhanging trees (see diagram below).
5. All cut vegetation and debris shall be removed in a legal manner. Cut vegetation may be machine processed (i.e.,chipped) and spread back onto the property at a depth not to exceed three inches within 30 feet of structures and six inches beyond 30 feet of structures. In addition, spread material shall not be placed within 10 feet of any usable roadside (in accordance with Fire Prevention Bureau Procedure No. 25)
The above general requirements also apply to landscape vegetation.
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IS A YEAR-ROUND RESPONSIBILITY
Clear Early, Clear Often.