As we enter the month of July, and this purgatorial hot and dry weather pattern, I had occasion to talk briefly with Metro Fire Director Cinthia Saylors about some of the issues relevant to the Rio Linda/Elverta community.

Metro Fire District 1 Director Cinthia Saylors

This wildfire season has gotten off to a prolific start, with major fires in our area within the last two weeks. This includes the grass fire that turned into a structure fire on Claire Ave. and Rood Ave., the 70-plus acre grass fire on East Levee Road this past Saturday, the lawnmower-ignited fire on Ascot Avenue on June 17th, and the cluster of fires around Rio Linda on the same day (West 6th Street, 8th Street, etc.

It has been learned that Metro Fire has arrested an arsonist for that cluster of fires on June 17th. Director Saylors notes that we’re still having random fires, so it’s important to be vigilant about fire prevention, especially as we approach an Independence Day holiday with temperatures expected to be well over 100 degrees.

Metro Fire’s Fire Marshal is responding to complaints about non-compliance with the Metro Fire Weed Abatement program, and she’s hearing several things from property owners that need to be shared.

The weed abatement program states that property owners are required to maintain their properties cleared of weeds, grass, vines or other growth that is capable of being ignited and endangering neighboring properties.

Discing: The discs shall be set at an angle sufficient to cut the sod loose and adequately bury the growth of weeds, grass or other vegetation. Discing shall include roto-tilling or cultivating.

Scraping: The blade shall be set at an angle sufficient to cut the growth of weeds, grass or other vegetation down to bare ground.

Mowing: Dead weeds shall not exceed two (2) inches in height at the completion of the mowing. It shall be done each time the dead growth exceeds six (6) inches in height. Combustible material produced by mowing shall be removed from the property