Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP) Frequently Asked Questions
The public is encouraged to join our mailing list and receive updates on the 2024 Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program (FHFRP) by clicking the "join our mailing list" icon at the bottom of any page and subscribing to Cambria CSD Fire Department News & Updates and follow the Cambria CSD Fire Department on Instagram and Facebook.
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 Board’s adoption of a resolution declaring the vegetation and hazardous wildland fire fuels on the identified properties to be a public nuisance.
Property owners, their neighbors, and the Cambria CSD Fire Department all benefit from the FHFRP program. The FHFRP program is designed to minimize fire danger by controlling the density and placement of flammable vegetation. The FHFRP program allows firefighters to work in a safer environment, and structures are better protected from wildland fire.
The first Notice to Destroy Weeds was sent to property owners on April 12, 2024, whose properties require abatement, and included a list of local licensed contractors who can perform weed abatement services. Parcel abatement starts.
The second Notice to Destroy Weeds will be sent to property owners on June 12, 2024, whose properties require abatement, which includes a list of local licensed contractors who can perform weed abatement services.
July 15, 2024, is the deadline to abate and remove the fuels and vegetation for properties requiring abatement.
Property owners who fall within the required guidelines are expected to maintain their property free of fire hazards and accumulated vegetation growth throughout the year. July 15, 2024, is the deadline for completion of this clearance.
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.
If you own property that no longer requires weed abatement (e.g., a parcel that has been developed or merged with an improved property), please call (805) 927-6240, and we will remove the parcel number from our list.
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 Cambria CSD 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, Paradise Tree Service. 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.
Property owners having clearance done by local contractors will need to work closely with their contractor to ensure your parcel gets inspected by the Cambria CSD 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, Paradise Tree Service. 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.
While we understand that there are certain circumstances that make it difficult for homeowners to complete the clearances, we cannot allow hazards to remain that put your property and community at risk.
The Cambria CSD and the Cambria CSD 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.
- Gregorio Avila (805) 674-3003
- Javier Casteneda (805) 927-5124
- Mike Rice (805) 927-3310
- Roger Salas (805) 909-2293
- Jon Sigurdson (805) 223-5430
- Paradise Tree Service (805) 472-3967
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.
No, the Cambria CSD Fire Department doesn't issue extensions. 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.
No, the contractors cannot issue extensions. Parcels not in compliance by the July 15, 2024, deadline will be placed on a list to be abated by the CCSD’s contractor, Paradise Tree Service. 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 Fire Department will perform final inspections of properties requiring abatement on July 16, 2024. Parcels that did not pass inspection on July 16, 2024, will be placed on the Contract Abatement List.
There is no charge to the property owner if you complete your required clearance work by the deadline. We want the property owner to complete the required clearance. It is not the intention of the Cambria CSD Fire Department to abate parcels. If the abatement work is not done by the July 15, 2024, deadline, the Cambria CSD Fire Department's contractor, Paradise Tree Service, will do the clearance work, and the cost of clearance plus an administrative fee will be attached to the property as a special assessment lien.
Yes. The Cambria CSD Fire Department is charged with the task of providing a reasonable degree of fire and life safety protection to the citizens and visitors to our town. The adoption of the California Fire Code and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) code, together with more restrictive local amendments, provides a reasonable and established means of adequately protecting life, the environment, and property in Cambria. While the adoption of these regulations may not prevent all incidents of fire or deaths from fire, the implementation of the various codes and/or requirements will reduce the severity and potential for the loss of life, damage to the environment, and property damage in our community. The Cambria Community Services District adopted Ordinance 05-2013, which is outlined in Section 7. CFC Section 307.1.1 that all open burning, bonfires, warming fires, and debris fires are prohibited within the Cambria CSD jurisdictional boundaries, except as permitted and authorized by the Cambria CSD Fire Department and the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District. Approved commercial gas and wood burning devices and pit fires are allowed ONLY when every opening is covered by a spark arrestor screen with mesh no larger than ¼ inch in size. If you plan on enjoying a fire, please have a garden hose readily available. If you see a dangerous or unattended fire, please call the Fire Department's non-emergency number (805) 927-6240.
Yes, property owners in the FHFRP Program will receive an abatement notice in April and June of each year with a clearance deadline of July 15th. The annual notice serves as a reminder for property owners to clear their parcels of any hazards.
You can contact the Cambria Fire Department non-emergency line at (805) 927-6240, contact Fire Chief Burkey at (805) 927-6240 or (805) 635-5982 with any questions, or submit an inquiry at the link below. You may also submit FHFRP questions to fhfrp@cambriacsd.org.