Fire season reminders from the Sonoma Valley Fire Department

As fire season officially begins in Sonoma County, the Sonoma Valley Fire Department offers a few reminders that can help protect homes and communities from wildfires.

The Sonoma Valley Fire Department’s annual weed abatement program is in full swing and is designed to reduce or prevent the spread of wildfire from one property to another. Property owners are required to create defensible space, cutting back vegetation to lessen the flammable fuel around their homes. Each year, the SVFD notifies property owners with high growth of the requirement for weed and nuisance abatement. These property owners are asked to address any overgrowth of grasses and weeds.

Citizens can submit a weed complaint form to report possible fire hazards at sonomavalleyfire.org/weed-complaint-form. Once submitted, the fire department will conduct a preliminary evaluation of the property and determine if the vegetation is a fire hazard.

“Through this program, all property owners and citizens can be assured of a safer fire season,” the city of Sonoma posted online.

But residents must be careful in how they remove those weeds. More than 1,600 fires are started annually by Californians using equipment the wrong way. Here are some things to know before you mow:

∎ Mow before 10 a.m., but never when it’s windy or excessively dry.

∎ Lawn mowers are designed to mow lawns, not weeds or dry grass.

∎ Metal blades striking rocks can create sparks and start fires.

∎ Avoid sparking a fire by learning how to use equipment properly.

Visit SonomaValleyFire.org for more information about wildfire safety including tips for preparing your home and property for wildfire.