Mountain Fire Hazard Reduction Tips

San Bernardino County

Fire Hazard Abatement Program

385 N. Arrowhead Ave. Defensible Space . . . San Bernardino, CA 92415 Something We Can All Live With Fire909- 387Hazard-4123

385Abatement N. Arrowhead Ave. San Bernardino,Program CA 92415 San Bernardino909-387-4123 County Dear Property Owner, Abatement Diagram on Back There is a $92.00 fee per action. The following information is intended to help Examples: Non-Compliance Final Notice, Native brush is a natural part of the forest explain the “Notice and Order to Abate.” San Additional Inspections, Warrants (when environment but within 100 feet of structures required), Mail Return postings, etc. Bernardino County Land Use Services is working should be thinned and properly pruned to with your local fire authority to abate fire hazards remove dead wood and eliminate the “ladder in your community to reduce the risk of fires Here Are Some Guidelines effect” from spreading fires. which threaten life or property. . Weeds and grasses should be mowed/cut to a We conduct on-site surveys on a parcel-by-parcel height of 4” or less, and pine needles and/or leaf “High energy release shrubs” should not be basis. Notices are mailed to property owners (at litter no more than 2” in depth at least one placed less than 15’ from structures. All the address shown on the latest tax role) advising hundred feet (100’) from any structure and 10’ shrubs within 15’ – 30’ of structures should of requirements. along roadside, driveways and access roads. be spaced no closer than two times the height Maintain all abatement throughout the year. of the tallest shrub. Lower foliage should be If you Already Cleared Your Property . . . trimmed up 18” from the ground. Trees Tree Trimmings should be removed completely. within 30’ of structures that are 4” in . . . and you received this notice, no further action diameter or less should be removed if less is required, but you must not allow re- All firewood must be stacked neatly away from than 10’ from another tree. Ornamental trees establishment of fire hazards. structures and not on or under decks, porches, etc. and shrubs need not be removed but must be This also applies to all processed wood and pruned of dead material and cleared of debris The County Will Clear Your Property . . . lumber products. (Construction debris is considered a fire hazard). from underneath.

If you have not already done so . . . Contractors Combustible refuse must be removed from all will perform the abatement and the cost will be House numbers 3” in height on a contrasting billed and placed on the property taxes if unpaid background must be visible from the front of the areas of your property. (liens may be recorded for uncollected billings). property and all access roads. If you would like the County to abate your parcel Any grading, disking, excavation or other or you are unsure if your property meets the All wood-burning flues and chimneys must have major soil disturbance must not be done. requirements, you may contact our office at the an approved spark arrestor (1/2” mesh maximum) number on the bottom of your notice. installed in a vertical position and should be visible from the ground to verify compliance. Questions? Please Call Potential Fees . . . 909-387-4123 Tree limbs or shrub branches shall not be Fees will be assessed against your property if it is permitted to grow around the chimney outlet area. in violation after the due date on your notice. All Limbs should have a minimum of 10’ of actions taken to obtain compliance after the due clearance from this area. All tree trimmings must date generate a fee and are billable. be removed from the site