Saturday, April 18, 2015

Red Car Property: In Case You Needed Another Reminder To Get Your Brush Clearance Done

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 13, 2015.  In the late afternoons, the light and topography of the Corralitas end of the Red Car Property makes for dramatic photos.  Yet the darkness back there is an extremely steep slope of dry weeds interspersed with native trees.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The Red Car Property Neighborhood is in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone  (VHFHSZ).  See the LAFD's website for brush clearance requirements and details.  May 1 is when the fines can start adding up. 

And a reminder, clearing combustible vegetation does NOT mean removing all trees and shrubs from the lot.  Read the requirements carefully.  Trees provide shade, reduce cooling costs and clean the air.  Since native trees evolved to fit our weather extremes, they are not only drought tolerant, but also help hold hillsides together in the rainy season.  If you have protected native trees like California Black Walnut, Coast Live Oak or Western Sycamore,  see the Department of Urban Forestry for more information