The Rural Metro Fire Department along with dozens of volunteers got deep in the weeds Saturday morning, clearing out thickets of buffelgrass off north Kolb Road. Residents of the Quail Canyon Homeowners Association, accompanied by University of Arizona students, were getting ahead of the flames, so to speak, in light of a challenging wildfire season on the horizon. "Getting rid of the buffelgrass, especially in our surrounding communities such as this is very, very important. It's very essential because it helps to keep our community safer,” said John Walka, Battalion Chief with Rural Metro Fire.