Time for spring clean-up

The Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council (GAAFC) is here to serve you. We are volunteers who coordinate with our fire safety partners to protect residents in Bowman, Auburn, Penryn and Newcastle. Spring is a great time to clean up winter debris and take action to make your home more fire safe. Here are some simple actions you can take: · Clean your roof and gutters removing sticks and leaves, etc. · Remove all fallen branches and debris after winter storms. · Clean out leaves and other debris under decks and outdoor stairs. · Rake bark mulch 5 feet from your home so burning embers have nothing to ignite. · Trim shrubs and trees away from home and building sidings with nothing within 5 feet of siding. Thinning branches will also reduce risk. · Clear out all dead wood and leaves from trees and shrubs. · Limb up your trees so they are a minimum of 6 feet from the ground. · Limb up shrubs one-third of the total height of the shrub. For a 6-foot shrub or small tree, remove any limbs below 2 feet. · Trim ground cover like ivy, vinca, St. John's Wort to 4 inches and rake to remove dead leaves and debris. · Trim branches away from roadsides to allow access for evacuations and emergency vehicle access. · Trim shrubs to allow space between plantings to reduce risk of ignition of a whole section of hedges or plantings. · Install decorative rock in the first 5 feet to replace bark mulch or wood chips. · Green waste can go in your yard debris can or you can do a burn pile of sticks and limbs following procedures from your local fire department or CAL FIRE. In addition: · If you are not already in a Firewise Community, consider starting one. Email auburnfiresafecouncil@gmail.com or call 530-269-4648 to get started. · Attend a Greater Auburn Fire Safe Council meeting at 9 a.m. on the third Friday of each month on the third floor of Auburn City Hall to learn what our partners in fire safety are doing to make our area more fire safe. The next meeting is March 20, featuring a PG&E presentation on how to choose the right location to plant trees on your property to avoid conflict with power lines and underground lines. Jan Foster is a member of the Greater Auburn Fire Safe Council and a leader in her Firewise Community.