weed whackers

BANNER FIRE STARTED BY WEED-CLEARING EQUIPEMNT: KNOW THE RIGHT WAY TO CLEAR BRUSH

 

CAL-FIRE offers tips for safe brush-clearing

June 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – CAL FIRE has sent a warning advising homeowners to use caution when clearing dead brush and grass.  While creating defensible space is a critical step to prepare for wildfire season, as fire danger rises, unsafe use of power equipment can actually start a fire.


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WEED WHACKER CAUSED SPRING VALLEY FIRE, PLACING 50 HOMES IN JEOPARDY

Fire official warns against use of metal blades to cut brush

June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Clearing brush with a metal-bladed weed whacker set off sparks which caused today’s four-acre blaze on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley, said Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District.

 

“Metal blades are not a good idea for cutting weeds,” he said, adding that plastic strips or blades are safer. Ironically, clearing brush, while important to create defensible space, can actually cause a fire if caution is not taken.  Villareal also warned against spilling flammable gasoline while refilling gas-powered weed cutters.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.