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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2025 29 Ad Hoc Fire Mitigation RISK & READINESS: YOUR GUIDE TO SAFER LIVING is article will focus on the Orange Zone, homes in High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and Zone 1. e Orange Zone is further away from the wildland and Zone 1 is the area from 5-30 feet from your dwelling. If you are not sure which zone you are in, you can go to https://osfm.re.ca.gov/what-we-do/community- wildre-preparedness-and-mitigation/re-hazard-severity-zones then scroll to "Find Your Fire Hazard Severity Zone" and put in your address. Are the homes in the orange and yellow zones required to comply with the same zero- to ve-foot guidelines that the Red Zone has? At this time the focus for code enforcement is on homes in the Red Zone. Guidelines for the Orange and Yellow Zones should be nalized by the end of 2025. Remembering that we then have three years to comply with any new regulations, if your home is in an orange or yellow zone, it's smart to start preparing anyway — removing combustibles, switching to non- ammable landscaping, and clearing debris. ese steps not only boost safety but may soon become mandatory. Since the Orange and Yellow Zones are further from the wildland, the risk is considered to be less. It cannot be overstated: the ocial map entirely overlooks the critical safety measures that were deliberately integrated into our community's construction. Zone 1: Lean, Clean, and Green Zone (5–30 feet) Here are the guidelines: 1. Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds. 2. Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles. 3. Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees. 4. Create a separation between trees, shrubs, and items that could catch re, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc. We are keeping an eye on the legislation and will update you with the latest regulations. Currently this is our city's governing regulation. ORDINANCE NO.1069 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, CALIFORNIA AMENDING CHAPTER 17 .06 "LANDSCAPE STANDARDS," OF THE BEAUMONT MUNICIPAL CODE : E. e property owner shall permanently and continuously maintain all landscaping in a neat, clean, and healthy condition, including removal of litter, proper pruning, mowing of lawns, weeds, fertilizing, and watering; and replacement of diseased and/or dead plants. ese are the most common violations you might encounter when not maintaining a buer zone that slows a re's spread. • Unmowed grass: Overgrown or dead grasses and weeds that are not cut to a maximum height (oen four inches or less) violate the rules for this zone. • Ladder fuels: Allowing vegetation to form a "ladder" that re can climb from the ground into taller shrubs or tree canopies is a major violation. is especially applies to hillsides with further rules on the height and spacing of plantings. • Insucient tree clearance: Failing to trim tree branches to a minimum of 10 feet from other trees, chimneys, and roofs creates a dangerous fuel path. • Flammable shrubs near windows: Having ammable plants or shrubs directly next to windows is a violation, as radiant heat can break the glass and allow re inside. • Vegetation under propane tanks: Not clearing vegetation around propane tanks is a serious violation due to the explosive risk. When planning your garden or landscape, it's important to think beyond aesthetics and consider the ecological impact of your choices. Native plants play a vital role as the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. ey support local insects — especially pollinators like bees and butteries — which in turn attract and nourish birds and other wildlife. is interconnected web, oen called "nature's ladder," begins with the plants you choose. By incorporating native species, you're not just planting greenery — you're cultivating resilience, biodiversity, and balance in your environment. You can do this while also making sure your plant choices are re resistant. Here's a website to use as a resource: calora.org/app/ipl?list_id=px2154. Information can also be found from California Native Plant Society www.cnps.org. If you have concerns or comments, please join the Ad Hoc Fire Mitigation Committee at its meeting on the rst ursday of the month in the RCN. ~ Cathy Goldsmith, cathyhg13@yahoo.com

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