Cut the grass or pay the fine
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- This year's brush fire threat has cities here in the Valley taking a stand.
Yakima and surrounding cities are cracking down on overgrown brush. We've seen the danger recently in Selah and Terrace Heights. Action News learned property owners are being forced to keep their yards in check or pay up.
The grass fire in Terrace Heights above Wixson Park, Monday was a good reminder of how dangerous fires can be.
"It's scary, I got these two twins (kids) right here," said Robert Perales.
Perales lives at the top of the hill where the flames hit two of his neighbors' homes. Thankfully, everyone was alright.
"It's crazy how someone can just start a fire like that," said Perales.
Brush fires don't need much help to get going in dry conditions. A spark from a car exhaust or a burning cigarette can be enough if there are trees, brush or grass to fuel the fire.
"Tall grasses are what we call a flashy fuel, they dry out quickly and when fire gets into them moves rapidly,"
That's why the city of Yakima is doing its part to cut down tall grass, especially, when they are so close to homes.
Each city has a different standard for what's concerned tall grass, but the best rule of thumb is if you notice it, it's probably unsafe. The other thing they're looking for the color, the lighter the color the easier it catches fire.
Codes officers are going around handing out citations to property owners with overgrown grass.
They owners have roughly 45 days to cut it or pay the city to do it for them. It usually runs anywhere from 40 to a hundred bucks depending on the size of the area.
That's a small price to pay to keep safe in a fire season that's heating up earlier than usual.
It's already been an unusual year in Selah. Firefighters there responded to more calls so this year than all of last year.
Yakima and surrounding cities are cracking down on overgrown brush. We've seen the danger recently in Selah and Terrace Heights. Action News learned property owners are being forced to keep their yards in check or pay up.
The grass fire in Terrace Heights above Wixson Park, Monday was a good reminder of how dangerous fires can be.
"It's scary, I got these two twins (kids) right here," said Robert Perales.
Perales lives at the top of the hill where the flames hit two of his neighbors' homes. Thankfully, everyone was alright.
"It's crazy how someone can just start a fire like that," said Perales.
Brush fires don't need much help to get going in dry conditions. A spark from a car exhaust or a burning cigarette can be enough if there are trees, brush or grass to fuel the fire.
"Tall grasses are what we call a flashy fuel, they dry out quickly and when fire gets into them moves rapidly,"
That's why the city of Yakima is doing its part to cut down tall grass, especially, when they are so close to homes.
Each city has a different standard for what's concerned tall grass, but the best rule of thumb is if you notice it, it's probably unsafe. The other thing they're looking for the color, the lighter the color the easier it catches fire.
Codes officers are going around handing out citations to property owners with overgrown grass.
They owners have roughly 45 days to cut it or pay the city to do it for them. It usually runs anywhere from 40 to a hundred bucks depending on the size of the area.
That's a small price to pay to keep safe in a fire season that's heating up earlier than usual.
It's already been an unusual year in Selah. Firefighters there responded to more calls so this year than all of last year.
