Amid the most destructive wildfire season in more than a decade, California’s firefighting agency amped up its warnings to thousands of property owners who weren’t doing enough to protect their homes by clearing brush and other flammable materials.
But it rarely put any muscle behind the threats: Violators were fined just 4 percent of the time, down from 10 percent when the drought was declared four years ago, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection statistics requested by The Associated Press.
State law requires property owners in wildfire-prone areas to clear combustible materials near buildings and allows citations starting at $100 for those who fail to do so. A third offense brings a misdemeanor charge and a $500 fine. The latest statistics show the number and rate of citations issued in the year ending June 30 were lower than when California’s drought began. The rate of homeowners disobeying the law also increased during that period.
“There are people out there that won’t do it unless they are forced to,” said Mike Warren. A firefighter for 40 years, including seven in California as Sequoia National Park’s fire management officer, Warren wants more aggressive enforcement to protect firefighters. “Not getting the clearance done puts firefighters at risk.”