Frequently Asked Questions & Commonly Used Terms

Why do we do it? and how?

Clasen's Tractor Service provides the work performed as a method to provide a buffer or fuel modification/ reduction zone between structures and open space. This work is required persuant to many of the fire codes within Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. We perform this work using our tractors and attachments such as discs, mowers, and grapplers.

What are the Recommended Minimum Fire Safety Standards?

1.Vegetation must not exceed 6 inches in height any time after the compliance deadline
2. Maintain grasses and weeds below six (6) inches for ten feet horizontally on both sides of all roadways, including driveways and all access routes.
3. Clear flammable vegetation a minimum of thirty feet around any structure, occupied or not. Ornamental vegetation should be kept clear of dead material. Some conditions, such as slopes, may require up to 100 feet of clearance.
4. Parcels up to one acre shall be completely abated. Parcels one to five acres require 100 foot clearance around structures and perimeter property lines. Additional 30 foot cross fuel breaks may also be required.
5. Parcels larger than five acres require 100 foot clearance around structure and perimeter property lines in addition to 30 foot cross breaks as needed to separate the remaining vegetation into sections no larger than five acres.
6. Keep property clear of accumulation of combustible debris, such as trash, wood, and dead vegetation. Relocate firewood at least 30 feet from all structures and 10 feet from all vegetation.
7. Keep vegetation cleared from under the eaves of houses.
8. Trim tree branches to at least 10 feet from the structure and chimney
9. Clear leaves, pine needles, and debris from roof and gutters.
10. Clean dry grass, brush and leaves near structures.
11. Use ice plants and other fire resistant plants to landscape.
12. Remove limbs located over roofs and all limbs within 10 feet of chimneys.
13. Keep plants, shrubs, and trees away from all power lines.
14. Keep gas and propane tanks at least 30 feet from all structures
15. Cover chimneys and stovepipes with non-flammable screens with 2in. (or less) mesh.

What is Defensible Space? Why 100 feet?

Defensible space is the area between your home and vegetation that may be flammable or any other combustable material. In addition to providing the fire service a realistic chance to save structures,defensible space provides many positive benefits. If a fire departments resources become stretched up an interface fire (with many critical fire problems and not enough fire units), then the structure with defensible space has a chance to survive on its own. In addition, the defensible space also protects the wildland from fires that begin in structures. A fire can generally be contained within the clearance between the structure and vegetation. 100 feet is the minimum defensible space recommended. Defensible space is a primary solution to the interface fire problem.

The three primary benefits of defensible space include:
• Opportunity for the fire department to succeed.
• Opportunity for the structure to survive an interface fire on its own.
• Opportunity to stop fire spreading from structures to vegetation.

Commonly Definitions & Terms

Abatement - the elimination of a fire hazard or nuisance as defined by local ordinances.

Weeds - means all wild plants growing upon the streets or private property in this jurisdiction. It includes sagebrush, chaparral (chamise, coyote brush, greasewood, broom brush, buckwheat) dry grass, stubble, brush, litter or other flammable materials which endanger the public safety by creating a fire hazard.

Flail Mowing - reduces the fire threat by cutting down large to medium weeds & growth. By reducing the growth to a level that is closer to the ground it promotes a controllable condition for fire fighters.

Discing - a method of weed removal that uses a series of concave discs pulled by a tractor that digs into the soil, lifting and turning over the weeds.

Noxious weeds - a weed is designated noxious when it is considered by a governmental agency to be injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or property.

Cut - plants or weeds that are cut off at the ground level.

Cleared - plants or weeds that are completely cut or otherwise removed from the landscape.

Thinned - a simple removal of some plants instead of all plants, 20% to 50%, depending upon the situation. This is commonly used where houses are adjacent to native scrub.

Hand Labor - a handheld gas or electric string weed cutter that cuts weeds at the ground level.

13”6” Vertical Clearance - Minimum vertical clearance of vegetation required for emergency vehicle access on all roadway, driveways and access roads.

Administration Fee - a set fee charged for administrative services.

Arundo - any of several coarse tall perennial grasses of most warm areas, reeds.

Barranca - a deep ravine or gorge.

Chaparral - dense growth of mostly small-leaved evergreen shrubs, as that found in the foothills of California.

Compliance - the parcel meets the requirements set forth in the local ordinance.

Contractor - an individual or company who is hired or contracted to perform a service.

Debris - unused or discarded matter having no substantial market value which is exposed to the elements and not enclosed in a structure concealed from public view.

Fire/Fuel Break - an area that is cleared of all fuel/vegetation.

Fire Hazard - a condition that exists on a parcel which is combustible and/or impedes fire suppression efforts.

Lien - a tax assessment to collect a debt against a parcel.

Public Nuisance - waste material, which, by reason of its location or character, may hamper or interfere with the prevention or suppression of fire upon the premises or any adjacent property, or which creates a fire hazard.

Selective Thinning - partial removal of vegetation to reduce fuel density.