PV tells residents to clean up properties

PARADISE VALLEY - The town's two signature mountains - Camelback and Mummy - were a carpet of green and color this spring thanks to a wet winter.

But that lushness is drying out and Paradise Valley's fire marshal is warning residents to clean up their properties to avoid a wildfire.

Fire Marshal Pat Dunlap said drought conditions are high in the town.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index predicts the likelihood of wildfires, based on such conditions as soil moisture, on a scale ranging from 0 to 800. Zero means no drought and 800 means extreme drought. According to the index, the town is in the 500 to 600 range, Dunlap said.

Winter rains fueled the growth of both native and non-native plants, including buffelgrass and fountain grass.

Non-native grasses and plants dry out first, providing the fuel to propel a brush fire and threaten homes.

The biggest concern for fire is on the hillsides where multimillion dollar homes are located and desert washes that back up to homes.

Dunlap said property owners are responsible for landscape maintenance up to the edge of road pavement and the upkeep of washes adjacent to their properties.

150 notices of violations

The town has already sent out 150 notices of violations to property owners with potential hazards.

"We're getting some really good response (to the notices)," Dunlap said.

Residents have 20 days to correct the problem. If they don't, a citation is sent by registered letter. If the problem is not resolved, the town can take the property owner to court.

Fire prevention tips include:

• Creating a 30-foot wide safety zone around a home to act as a fire break and a defensible space for firefighters to protect the home.

• Clearing brush and vegetation everywhere on a property, especially around storage buildings, combustible fences and propane tanks, even empty ones. Drainage easements also must be kept clear of vegetation and debris.

• Removing vines from the exterior walls of a home and keeping the grass mowed and living vegetation well watered.

• Trimming tree branches to a minimum height of 6 feet above the ground and 10 feet back from the roof and fireplace chimney.

• Removing dead fronds and tree limbs from living trees. Palm trees are frequently struck by lightning.

More information available

The town has published a brochure on preparing for wildfire season. Copies are available in the lobbies of Paradise Valley Town Hall and the Police Department. The brochure also can be downloaded from the Police Department Web site at www.ci.paradise-valley.az.us/police.

For more information, Dunlap can be reached at (480) 348-3570 or pvfiremarshal@paradisealleyaz.gov.