Of course, removing fire hazards from your property is also a top priority. AFC Araiza said the SPFD has been busy with getting final weed abatement notice letters out by registered mail, “before we go to the City Council to get authority to clear the brush. . .we also post notification on the lot itself.”The next step will be to return to the council for authority to order the land cleared at the owner’s expense by an outside contractor.Added to the bill is a $300 city administration fee as well as county fee of $35 to place a lien on the property, noted AFC Araiza.“It pays for the owner to clear their land themselves; our contractor is reasonable but with the other costs, well, it adds up.Santa Paula’s worst fire season is late September and October, but with the drought it looks like it going to be a year-round concern.Preventive fire measures that should be taken include a survey of property to make roofs and gutters are clear of dried vegetation as well as cleaned out from under houses and brushes. If the house has a wood shake roof consider replacing it.Try to minimize a means for fire to spread onto the property and into the structure, and a fire extinguisher should be present in the house, particularly in the kitchen area where it is common for fires to start.But, noted AFC Araiza, always 911 before you try to fight a fire, or have another person call depending on the circumstances.
It’s fire time and brush the driest in 130-years
July 05, 2002
Santa Paula News
It’s fire time coupled with an ominous fact: the moisture content in brush is the lowest it has been in a 130 years, creating growth that is tinder box dry and highly, highly combustible.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesIt’s fire time coupled with an ominous fact: the moisture content in brush is the lowest it has been in a 130 years, creating growth that is tinder box dry and highly, highly combustible.Add to the highly dangerous conditions that the 4th of July was Thursday and that fireworks were readily available in neighboring Fillmore, well, you get the idea.Acting Fire Chief Rick Araiza said with the high risk of fire, the fire department will be on high alert, and wants help from citizens who spot anything suspicious.Fireworks are of particular concern, even the safe and sane variety sold in Fillmore by an array of nonprofit agencies.“Safe and sane is definitely a misnomer,” said AFC Araiza, as deployment of such fireworks depends solely on the precautions taken by the person setting them off. Besides, he stressed, “All fireworks outlawed in the city; there are no safe and sane fireworks of any kind legal to light in Santa Paula.”If someone is letting off fireworks in your neighborhood and you call the SPFD, “at this point we will be calling the police. . .we put out fires. But if you do call us first, we’ll make sure to notify the police department.”Santa Paula has been helping fight fires all over the state, including the recent Cajon fire where a SPFD engine company was sent last week for mutual aid. Across the United States this fire season has been so destructive a record of acres burned and structures destroyed is being approached.
