Green grass still needs to be cut back to create defensible space

The drought may not be as severe, but that doesn’t lessen fire season concerns.

Firefighters have said recent wind-driven fires are proof that tall grasses can go up in flames.

Santa Barbara City Fire Inspector Amber Anderson said,”defensible space is the number one thing the homeowner can do to prepare for wildland fire season.”

Homeowners need to clear at least 100 feet of defensible space around their structures.

“What we have seen this year with that large amount of rainfall is that heavy grass–grasses two, three, four feet tall in some areas. Now it is very green, but in another month or so, all that green grass is going to turn brown,” said Anderson.

Anderson added, “We are expecting a lot of large and fast growing wildland fires this year because fire moves very fast through grass.

An annual defensible space chipping program started Monday in San Roque and Ontare neighborhoods.

For more information on chipping visit santabarbaraca.gov

If a homeowner is not sure how much to clear or how to do the job they can contact their local fire department for assistance.

Visit sbcfire.com for more information.