Cosumnes Fire Department Launches 2011 Weed Abatement Program

As part of its effort to reduce community fire risks, the Cosumnes Fire Department this year has identified nearly 500 parcels in its service area requiring weed abatement as part of its annual Weed Abatement Program.

Each year new parcels identified as a “seasonal and recurrent nuisance” are added to the Weed Abatement Program through complaints, encroachment of new development, or Cosumnes Fire Department recommendations. For 2011, 32 parcels have been added to the program while 55 have been removed.

The Cosumnes Community Services District Weed Abatement Ordinance requires parcels of two acres or less to have weeds cut no higher than two inches. Parcels larger than two acres must have a 30-foot fire break around all structures.

“This is an important part of our fire prevention program and has been very successful in reducing incidents during the hot summer months,” said George Apple, Cosumnes Fire Department Assistant Chief. “Overall property-owner cooperation has been good in the past and we expect that to be the case again this year.”

After being notified in early May that their parcel is included in the program, owners have until June 1 to clear weeds themselves. For properties not in compliance with weed abatement requirements after June 1, owners can request at the June 15 Cosumnes CSD Board of Directors meeting that their property be removed from the program. For properties remaining in the program, owners have the option of clearing weeds themselves or having a Cosumnes Fire Department contractor perform the service at the property owner’s expense.

In 2010, 40 properties were abated by the Cosumnes Fire Department at a cost to owners of $12,400.

The current Cosumnes Fire Department Weed Abatement Program was started in 2002. More information is available at this link.