The 2008 Fire Season Officially Begins May 12
Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

The Alameda County, Contra Costa County and East Bay Regional Park District Fire Chiefs, in cooperation with the CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) have declared the 2008 wildland fire season to be officially open effective 8:00 a.m., Monday, May 12.

Local Fire Chiefs urge residents to maintain proper clearance and defensible space around their homes and buildings by doing the following:

• Clear flammable vegetation around structures to a minimum of 100 feet or to the property line.
• Remove tree limbs within 10 feet of any chimneys or stovepipes;
• Remove pine needles and leaves from roofs, eaves, roof valleys, and rain gutters;
• Remove dead tree limbs overhanging structures, and
• Ensure a half-inch metal wire mesh screen covers the chimney or flue outlet.
• Always remember to "Mow before 10 am". Dry grass has the highest amount of moisture in the morning hours. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot to mow.

For more information about fire safety and fire resistant landscaping, contact your local fire department or visit the Diablo FireSafe Council website at www.diablofiresafe.org or CAL FIRE at www.fire.ca.gov.

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