Weed abatement consists of removing plants or grasses that present a fire hazard from occupied or unoccupied structures and along transportation routes.
Weed abatement consists of removing plants or grasses that present a fire hazard from occupied or unoccupied structures and along transportation routes. Create space around buildings and reduce the risk of loss of property and lives due to fire. In some areas, noxious weed reduction programs are in place to remove plants that threaten natural foliage.
Areas where wildfires get out of control typically impose strict brush reduction programs. These programs require defensible space around buildings that interface with forests and other areas containing dense vegetation. Laws in these areas often require property owners to clear brush and debris a minimum distance from structures. Homeowners may also need to create vertical and horizontal firebreaks to control the spread of fire.
The combination of heat, wind and fuel in the form of dead vegetation leads to the destruction of homes and loss of life in areas where wildfires burn out of control, often for days. After firefighters put out the fire, rains can trigger landslides in mountainous areas because vegetation often holds soil in place. Landslides can also lead to property loss and huge financial impacts for communities.
Abatement officials generally send notices to homeowners when a hazard exists. Notices typically give a certain number of days to comply with weeding or other flammable waste. After the schedule is due, inspectors usually check the land to see if weed reduction is satisfactory.
If the property still poses a fire hazard, a notice of violation is usually issued, advising the property owner that the abatement will be done by a licensed contractor or the department of public works. The owner is usually billed for the work. In some areas, a lien may be placed on the property to recover weeding costs.
An appeal process generally allows the landowner to challenge the inspector’s findings. Resources may argue that the vegetation on the land consists of fire resistant plants, exempt from weed reduction regulations. This procedure can also be applied if threatened species or rare plants grow on the property scheduled for reduction. An appeal generally extends the time to reduce until an investigation can be conducted.
Some weed laws require ornamental plants to be cut back to remove dead leaves or branches. They may also require tree limbs to be trimmed from structures and grass to be cut to a predetermined length. Removing pine needles and other debris from gutters and roofs may also be subject to weed reduction laws.
Noxious weed reduction programs exist in areas where non-native plants pose a risk of invading and smothering more desirable native plant species. These programs attempt to suppress and control the spread of noxious weeds on public and private lands. They often use biological and chemical methods to lessen the problem.
