We hope this message finds you well. We are incredibly proud to share some commendable news about the dedication and hard work of our Cambria Fire Department. In the last week, our firefighters have gone above and beyond their call of duty by working overtime to inspect all vacant parcels in Cambria. Their commitment to our community’s safety and well-being has been truly inspiring. Several firefighters came in off-duty to support these crucial efforts, demonstrating their unwavering dedication and community spirit.

We sincerely thank our fire department for their tireless work and extraordinary efforts. Their thorough inspections are vital in ensuring the safety of our community, particularly during this fire season. This achievement is a testament to what we can accomplish working together. We are grateful for the cooperation of our residents and property owners, and we encourage everyone to continue supporting our fire department in its mission to keep Cambria safe.

Weed Abatement Inspection Results:

The deadline for weed abatement has passed, and our team has completed inspections of all parcels within the district. Unfortunately, 296 parcels did not meet the required standards and failed the inspection.

Did Not Pass Weed Abatement Inspection List

Next Steps:

On July 25th, the Board will hold a special meeting to declare these parcels a public nuisance. Following this declaration, our contractor will begin the weed abatement process on July 26th. This action is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of our community, especially during the fire season.

Important Dates to Remember:

• July 25th: Board meeting to declare non-compliant parcels a public nuisance.
• July 26th: The weed abatement process begins on non-compliant parcels.

How You Can Help:

If your parcel has been identified as non-compliant, you can still abate the parcel before the 26th, and you will only be charged the administrative fee. Our contractor will mark the parcel as “done by owner” (DBO). We appreciate your cooperation in promptly addressing this matter. For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or the Fire Chief via email: mmcelhenie@cambriacsd.org or mburkey@cambriacsd.org.

We thank all property owners who have complied with the weed abatement requirements and appreciate everyone’s efforts to maintain our community's safety and beauty.

Dear Cambrians, 

We hope this message finds you well. As the weed abatement deadline approaches, we remind all residents that no extensions will be granted.

The deadline for completing all weed abatement on your property is July 15, 2024. This annual requirement is an effort to reduce the fire hazard caused by the accumulation of combustible materials on vacant parcels. Keep in mind that the forest helps define Cambria, and it is important that we reduce the fire hazard without destroying its ability to regenerate. Make every effort to protect seedlings, young native trees, ferns, and bushes by marking them before cutting.

Key Points to Note:

• Deadline: All weed abatement must be completed by July 15, 2024. To clarify, even if your lot was cleared earlier this year, you will most likely have re-growth. If so, your property may have to be weed abated again to pass inspection. 
• No Extensions: No extensions will be granted beyond this date. Additionally, no matter what you may have been told by any contractor, there are no such things as “extensions” beyond the deadline of the 15th. 
• Compliance: Properties that do not meet the requirements will be subject to penalties and abatement by the district’s contractor, Paradise Tree Service, at the property owner's expense. The cost for abatement for each parcel includes the contractor’s service charge, plus a $100.00 administrative charge if paid within 90 days of receiving a bill, or a $200.00 administrative charge if paid later. The CCSD is not responsible for the contractor’s charges. 

Steps to Ensure Compliance:

1. Inspect Your Property: Regularly check for overgrown weeds. In this respect, it should be noted that the definition of “weeds” in Health and Safety Code Section 14875 includes “Dry grass, stubble, brush, litter, or other flammable material which endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard.”  
2. Remove Weeds: Safely and properly remove all weeds, especially those that are dry and pose a fire risk. 
3. Disposal: Follow the local guidelines for disposing of yard waste and weeds, including any leftover weed clippings and debris from around the streets and sidewalks.
4. Sign up for Cambria CSD Fire Department Updates: To receive updates from the Cambria CSD Fire Department on the 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP) or any Fire Department-related news, click the "join our mailing list" icon at the bottom of any page and subscribe to Cambria CSD Fire Department News & Updates and follow the Cambria CSD Fire Department on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on the 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP), please click here.
5. Meet the Deadline: All weed abatement must be completed by July 15, 2024.

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Maintaining our community’s safety and well-being is a shared responsibility, and your prompt attention to weed abatement is crucial.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Cambria CSD Fire Department at (805) 927-6240.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Matthew McElhenie

Each year, the Cambria CSD Fire Department conducts a Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP) to abate vegetation and hazardous wildland fire fuels. The FHFRP is carried out pursuant to the authority contained in Government Code Sections 61100(d) and (t) and Health and Safety Code Sections 14875 et seq. and is initiated by the CCSD Board of Directors adoption of a resolution declaring the vegetation and hazardous wildland fire fuels on the identified properties to be a public nuisance. In this respect, it should be noted that the definition of “weeds” in Health and Safety Code Section 14875 includes “Dry grass, stubble, brush, litter, or other flammable material which endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard.”  

This annual requirement is an effort to reduce the fire hazard caused by the accumulation of combustible materials on vacant parcels. Keep in mind that the forest helps define Cambria, and it is important that we reduce the fire hazard without destroying its ability to regenerate. Make every effort to protect seedlings, young native trees, ferns, and bushes by marking them prior to cutting. Property owners are required to clear all combustible vegetation and/or debris from their property by the deadline of July 15, 2024.

To receive updates from the Cambria CSD Fire Department on the 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP) or any Fire Department-related news, click the "join our mailing list" icon at the bottom of any page and subscribe to Cambria CSD Fire Department News & Updates and follow the Cambria CSD Fire Department on Instagram and Facebook.

On April 11, 2024, the Cambria Community Services District (“CCSD”) Board of Directors adopted Resolution 04-2024 declaring that noxious, dangerous, seasonal, and/or recurring weeds were growing upon or in front of your property and, more particularly described in said Resolution and that the same constitute a public nuisance which must be abated by the removal of said noxious, dangerous, seasonal and/or recurring weeds; otherwise, they will be removed and the nuisance abated by the CCSD Fire Department authorities, in which case the cost of such removal shall be assessed upon the lots and lands from which or in front of which such weeds are removed and such cost will constitute a lien upon such lots or lands until paid. Reference is hereby made to said Resolution for further particulars.

On May 9, 2024, the Cambria Community Services District (“CCSD”) Board of Directors awarded the 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program Agreement to Paradise Tree Service.

On July 25, 2024, the Cambria Community Services District (“CCSD”) Board of Directors will hold a Public Hearing ordering the abatement of Public Nuisance for the Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program.

The following are guidelines to help you comply:

• Remove combustible construction materials and trash from the property.
• Trim weeds and annual grasses to 4 inches in height. Avoid exposing bare soil or creating a situation that would encourage erosion.
• All downed trees and rounds or dead limbs within 30 feet of any structure must be removed. Tree stumps fallen over shall be cut and retain no more than six feet of the log within this 30-foot zone.
• All downed trees beyond 30 feet from any structure 12 inches in diameter or greater may remain on the parcel. However, the entire trunk must be completely on the ground. Materials less than 12 inches in diameter shall be cut and removed from the property.
• All standing dead trees that pose a safety risk to improved property and/or infrastructure shall be removed.
• Remove ladder vegetation from under trees and shrubs, maintaining 6 feet of vertical clearance for trees greater than 20 feet in height.
• All Poison Oak, Scotch/Irish/French or other broom-type plants, Pampas grass, Jubata grass, and (Crocosmia) also known as Fire Weed, shall be removed. Isolated specimens may be left with greater than ten (10) feet separation, and all dead material removed. 

The owner of record of the property at the time of notification is responsible for the clearance of the parcel. Property owners having clearance done by local contractors will need to work closely with their contractor to ensure your parcel gets inspected by the CCSD Fire Department. Those parcels not in compliance by the July 15, 2024, deadline will be placed on a list to be abated by the CCSD’s contractor. The cost for abatement for each parcel includes the contractor’s charge for services, plus a $100.00 administrative charge if paid within 90 days of receiving a bill or a $200.00 administrative charge if paid later. The CCSD is not responsible for the contractor’s charges. 

The Cambria CSD and the Cambria Fire Department do not endorse any specific contractor or agency, are not responsible for the work performed or the fees charged by these contractors, and assume no responsibility or liability for both satisfactory and/or non-satisfactory work conducted by these contractors. Below is a list of contractors provided to the property owners of Cambria as a public service for their convenience.

The Cambria CSD Fire Department will inspect your parcel(s) to ensure compliance with the FHFRP ordinance. Parcels not cleared by the deadline will be placed on the CCSD contract list, and all associated costs and fees will be billed directly to you.