Captain Ken Barnes, Fire Station 33 in Rancho Bernardo reminds us that all fireworks are illegal in San Diego. "If you find any fireworks, please remember to drop them off at the firehouse. Also remember, when you are working around brush with any implements, dry brush will ignite easily and burn fast in our low-fuel moisture environment." The following things you need to know:

A FIRE SAFETY CHECK OFF LIST:

Remove dead or overhanging branches.

Remove any branches within 10 feet of chimney vent.

Clean all dead leaves and needles from roof and gutters.

Install a roof that meets the fire resistance classification of Class C or better.

Cover chimney outlet with a nonflammable screen of 1/2 inch or smaller mesh.

On steep slopes trim flammable vegetation a safe distance from structures.

The canopies of large trees should not form a continuous planting mass.

Choose ornamental landscaping plants that are fire resistant and non-invasive.

Maintain all plants by regularly removing dead branches, leaves and needles.

Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from all structures, fences, and other combustible material.

Remove all stacks of construction materials, pine needles, leaves, and other debris.

Keep lawn chairs, umbrellas, and other canvas furniture (that might be easily ignited from sparks) a safe distance from structures.

Clear all vegetation and other combustible or flammable materials from beneath deck area.

Enclose underside of elevated decks with fire resistant materials.

Refrain from dumping lawn and brush clippings in canyons.

Structures (such as fences) in Zone 1 must be made of noncombustible or one-hour, fire-rated materials.

Identify at least two exit routes from your neighborhood.

Make sure that street names and house numbers are clearly visible.

Designate an emergency meeting place outside your neighborhood.

Immediately evacuate the area when ordered by police or fire personnel.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For brush management and weed abatement questions:

City Fire and Life Safety Services 619 533-4444

For information on code compliance issues:

City Neighborhood Code Compliance 619 236-5500

For a copy of the Environmentally Sensitive Slope Erosion Control guide (no charge):

City Fire and Life Safety Services 619 533-4444

For a copy of the Environmentally Sensitive Brush Management guide (no charge):

City Fire and Life Safety Services 619 533-4444

Come to the Library, 2^nd floor near elevator, to the Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness display rack to pick up your free copy of The City of San Diego’s Guide to Canyon Fire Safety.