Message from the Fire Chief
www.marinwoodfire.org
An Invitation from the Marin County Open Space District and the Marinwood Fire Department
Each year, Open Space Districts and Marin’s Fire Agencies perform a variety of tasks to reduce the possibility of wildfire on the county’s wild lands. Despite our best efforts, it is simply not possible to entirely eliminate the threat that fire, starting either on private property or on public open space, presents.
To help protect your home, the Marin County Open Space District, the Marinwood Community Services District, and County Service Area 13, in cooperation with the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association, invites and encourages you to mow grass on District lands thirty to one hundred feet of your property. As part of a new program, there are no permits required, and a Ranger need not meet you on site. This program is intended to make it easier for homeowners to conduct clearance on these properties.
It is extremely important that your clearance work does not start a fire and that you follow the guidelines below:
· Confirm that the property you want to mow is owned by the Marin County Open Space District, the Marinwood Community Services District, or CSA 13, not your neighbor or another agency. Information on lot lines and property ownership is available at the County Assessor-Recorder's Office (499-7215 or go to http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/AR/main/index.cfm) and the County Community Development Agency (499-6269 or go to http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/CD/main/index.cfm).
· Mow Only Grass and small brush. If you wish to cut large brush or trees on Open Space District lands, you still need a permit; please call the District field office at 415-507-2816. To cut brush or trees on Marinwood CSD open space please call 479-0122, and for CSA 13 open space call 472-3202.
· Never mow under high fire hazard RED FLAG conditions; call 415-499-7191 for current conditions.
· In the heat of summer, mow early morning or during the evening when it is cooler and less likely that you could start a fire. Use extra caution with power mowers or other spark-producing tools.
· Keep a 5 pound “ABC” fire extinguisher AND a fully charged garden hose at the work site while mowing or other work is taking place.
· Do not use metal mowing heads on power scythes (weed whippers) as they can spark from contact with rocks.
· Make sure spark arrestors are in place and functioning.
· Do not lay hot power tools in dry grass where hot metals may ignite flammable vegetation.
· Re-fuel tools away from vegetation – on paved surfaces or cleared areas. Store gasoline away from site.
· If possible, have someone spot you (keep a close watch) while you are working to watch for problems.
· Watch for hikers and other users; cease work until they are clear from the work area.
Information on the Open Space District is available on the internet at www.marinopenspace.org and on the Marinwood CSD at www.marinwood.org. For guidelines on fire protection, call Chief Roach at the Marinwood Fire Department at 479-0122 or check the internet at www.marinwoodfire.org or www.firesafemarin.org.
Thank you for joining us in reducing the potential for wildfire.
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010