Residents of the north county may be getting a knock on the door from fire inspectors sometime through the end of next week. This morning, Capt. Tran Beyea of Calfire’s Thorn Fire Station send out word this morning that “defensible space inspections” have already begun in Big Lagoon, Trinidad, Westhaven and Crannell, and will continue for another week and a half.

The idea of the inspection program — which is underway around the state — is to ensure that homeowners are keeping 100 feet of fightable territory between their homes and potential wildfires. It’s funded by the controversial fire protection fee that has been levied against rural landowners since 2011.

Though rural landowners are required by law to maintain defensible space between their houses and wild lands, it seems that the inspection program is generally educational — inspectors talk to residents about what they might do to better firm up the borders of their own defensible spaces. It’s unclear at this writing whether inspectors can issue citations or fines against non-compliant landowners, but we’ve put out a call to local Calfire people and will update this post when we know more.

Calfire press release below, followed by a Calfire-produced video about the inspection program:

CAL FIRE inspectors have begun conducting Defensible Space inspections throughout the Big Lagoon, Trinidad, Westhaven and Crannell areas.

“Creating and maintaining Defensible Space is critical for the protection of homes,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “It has never been more critical to strengthen our fire prevention efforts in light of the elevated fire conditions we have been experiencing in California. We have increased our inspection staffing and now we need the public to make sure they, too, are prepared for the increased fire risk due to drought.”

Defensible space inspections are supported by the SRA Fire Prevention Fee, which is an annual fee assessed to rural residents for fire prevention activities in the State Responsibility Area (SRA). The Fire Prevention Fee resulted from a law signed by Governor Brown in 2011 which imposed a fee to residents owning habitable structures in the SRA.

California Public Resources Code 4291 requires homeowners living in SRA to maintain 100 feet of Defensible Space around structures. CAL FIRE inspectors will be educating residents and evaluating properties to make sure they are in compliance with state law.

  • Here are some tips that can help homes survive wildfires:
  • Maintain 100 feet of Defensible Space around all structures.
  • Clear all needles and leaves from roofs, eaves and rain gutters.
  • Trim branches six feet from the ground.
  • Use trimming, mowing and power equipment before 10 a.m.
  • Landscape with fire resistant and drought tolerant plants that require little water.
  • Remove branches away from roofs and 10 feet from the chimney.
  • Keep wood piles and flammable materials at least 30 feet from the home.
  • Use fire ignition resistant building material

For more information on preparing for wildfires and defensible space visit: www.ReadyForWildfire.org and www.preventwildfireca.org/