BRUSH CLEARANCE
SAFETY TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Remember when clearing your brush, safety is very important. In recent years, many brush fires have been started by homeowners attempting to clear brush from their property. Many times, the sparks produced from metal blades on motorized equipment have started these types of fires.
The following are simple guidelines for homeowners to follow in order to clear their brush safely:
- Always have a water source readily available. A water extinguisher, garden hose or a few buckets of water.
- Avoid clearing brush during the peak temperatures of the day, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm and on days when a Red Flag Alert* has been declared by the Fire Department.
- Only use properly maintained motorized equipment and have a spark arrester when required.
- Do not refuel motorized equipment while the motor is running. Use approved fuel-dispensing containers only.
- Always make sure the hot exhaust on any motorized equipment is clear of any vegetation (grasses, weeds, shrubs).
- Do not use metal blades on weed whackers/whips. Instead use nylon line or plastic blades.
- Always wear safety glasses and gloves. Hard hats and dust masks are recommended.
Thank you for clearing your hazardous vegetation and making your community a safer place. For additional information, please contact the Brush Clearance Unit at (800) 994-4444, or visit our website at lafd.org/fire-prevention/brush
*Red Flag weather days refer to certain weather conditions that can cause a wildland fire to start and spread rapidly. These conditions generally exist when the winds exceed 25 mph and relative humidity is below 15%.