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Fire
Break Brush and Weed Abatement Requirements
The
City must authorize any work performed in Tierrasanta’s open space areas
that are owned by the City of San Diego. After evaluating any work
to be done in the open space, a permit may be issued by Tierrasanta's Open
Space Inspector Jan Eby, and must be signed, dated and returned to Ms. Eby
before the work specified on the permit can commence. All permits include
an expiration date determined by Ms. Eby, and are not valid after that
date. Doing any work in the City open space without a valid permit
authorizing that specific work is a violation of the City's Municipal
Code. Work in the open space may consist of, but is not limited to,
weed control, brush management, planting for slope erosion issues or tree
maintenance issues. Permits to install fences, or plant home
gardens, fruit trees, etc., in the City's open space are never
granted.
The City of San Diego has one brush management unit that serves the entire
city and consists of one supervisor and a field crew of three (3).
The crew is sometimes assisted by other agencies, including the Alpha
Project, County probation workers, etc. Before a decision is made as
to whether the brush management crew will perform any brush removal and
thinning, they have to evaluate the site, then if they determine that
brush clearance is needed, they must prioritize the work.
Prioritized sites are based on Fire Department referrals and brush
management issues receiving number one priority. A Category #1
generally includes those sites where the brush is the thickest and has a
very high fuel volume. The problem is that there are many of these
priority sites citywide. Also, the work is performed manually, and
with open space access not always easy, resulting in a slow process.
The brush is generally 'managed' only within 110 feet of a livable
structure, not the property line fence. (This means the
measurement begins on the back wall, or structure attached to the back
wall of a home or condo/apartment unit.)
According to Ms. Eby, "Tierrasanta receives good service throughout
the year from the brush management unit, with many acres being evaluated
and serviced. However, there are many acres that are not cleared
because there is only one crew performing the service, Citywide.
That's why the permit process is in place (Click
HERE to
view the request
for permission to clear brush), so that local residents can
receive permission to manage the weeds and brush behind their homes."
Any suspicious activities in the canyons or parks should be reported to
the Police, and any locations where people or kids appear to be
congregating should be watched carefully. Forts, campsites,
skateboard ramps, etc, in the open space areas, should be reported to the
Police at 619-531-2000 and to Jan Eby at 619-685-1354. All
emergency situations should be reported by calling 911. Vandalism of
sprinklers and landscape amenities are on the up rise, as is graffiti in
the community. Any information or reporting of these
issues is appreciated.
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