Safety Considerations and Environmental Clearances
Federal Grant Environmental Clearances
SCFSC Defensible Space Chipping Programs are funded by Federal Grants and other contributions. Environmental clearance are provided by the federal agencies involved in these grants.
General Hazardous Fuel Reduction Guidelines
- Don’t destroy any active bird nests of any size.
- Don’t work near any large active nests, such as eagle nests (3-4 feet diameter or more).
- Work can be done around (greater than 100 feet from) smaller active nests.
- Limbs and trees with and around inactive nests of any size can be removed.
- The safest time of the year for vegetation disturbing work is from September through December; the general Breeding-Fledge Season in our area is March through August.
Santa Clara County Endangered Species
Habitat descriptions and recommendations for chipping and clearing activities where threatened or endangered species may exist.
Lexington Hills Environmental Clearances
The Lexington Hills Hazardous Fuel Reduction Environmental Clearance Summary below illustrates and provides references for additional environmental considerations for our Lexington Hills grants. The next two links are the Lexington Hills environmental clearance documents.
Safety Considerations
Please observe the following safety precautions when you are creating Defensible Space around your home or preparing material for our Defensible Space Chipping Programs, especially during Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches:
- Power equipment should be operated only before 10:00 AM or after 6:00 PM (and NEVER during extremely dry conditions).
- Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation.
- Be careful to avoid rocks, stones and metal objects which could cause a spark and start a fire.
- Spark arresters are required in wildland areas on all portable gasoline powered equipment.
- Keep a hose or water fire extinguisher nearby.
- Stay 30 minutes after work is complete to ensure no fires have started.
Additional safety information and precautions
Additional safety information from Pacific Gas and Electric Company
University of Nevada Report on Mulch Combustibility.
Spread chips thinly and not too close to homes or structures.
SCFSC Guidelines for Fuel Reduction Contractors