Fire Inspector Kevin O'Brien

Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District is excited to announce the appointment of Kevin O'Brien, our new fire inspector. Kevin's responsibilities include building life safety inspections, defensible space inspections, public education, community outreach, and wildfire risk reduction.

Defensible Space Inspections

Defensible space refers to the management of vegetation around a structure to reduce the possibility that a wildfire will ignite it. By creating an area around your home that won't burn, you provide a buffer between you and the wildfire. Defensible space around your home is the first line of defense against wildfire.

A defensible space inspection is a site visit from someone trained to recognize the dangers surrounding your home and advise you on ways to protect your home from wildfire. We perform defensible space inspections year-round to properties located within district boundaries. To request your defensible space inspection, visit our Defensible Space Inspections page.

Tips for Safe Grass Cutting

Don't do the right thing the wrong way

Mowing and weedeating grass is a common cause of wildfires during the spring and summer months as vegetation is managed to reduce wildfire risk. Firefighters refer to these ignitions as “doing the right thing the wrong way.” Use the right tools for the job at the right time of the day and take all necessary precautions. Lawnmowers are not designed for high weed mowing.

The safest way to mow or weedeat grass is to do it during the coolest part of the day, normally before 10 AM, with a person watching for a fire to start, and the ability to suppress a fire that starts. Windy conditions can dry grass out and rapidly spread a fire that starts. Never mow or weedeat when any of the following conditions exist:

1. Grass is dry to the touch
2. Air temperature is above 90 degrees
3. Relative humidity is below 30%

Mowing and weedeating caused wildfires are specifically caused by improper spark arresters, striking a rock with a metal blade, buildup of grass against moving parts (friction) or exhaust, refueling hot motors, and setting hot motors in dry grass.

• Ensure you have a spark arrestor. Modern equipment is equipped with a spark arrestor.  Watch this video for more information: Why I Don't Remove Muffler Spark Arrester Screens From 2 Cycle Equipment!
• Replace metal blade on weedeater with string. Do not use lawnmower to mow anything other than green grass. Use a high weed mower with string. 
• Do no let cut grass build up on top of decks of mowers or weedeaters. Spinning shafts, and hot motors/exhaust can ignite cut grass that builds up.
• Let motors cool before refueling and refuel in areas without vegetation.
• Do not set hot motors/exhaust in vegetation.