A Landowner's Calendar for Fire Season: What to Do Each Month

This calendar is a general guide for much of California. Climate varies a lot between the coast, the valleys, the foothills and the mountains, so adjust. Your city, county or fire district sets the dates and standards that apply to you, and its notice overrides anything written here. See California's fire calendar by region.

November to February: plan and repair

• Review last year. What grew back? What did the inspector flag? Make notes while you remember.
• Walk the property after the first rains. Find where water runs, and where weeds are already germinating.
• Fix fences and gates, and clear the access road.
• Check insurance. Some policies now ask about vegetation. See if your insurer has dropped you.
• Request quotes. Providers have time now and the schedule is open.

March to April: the growth window

• Walk the property again. This is when grass and weeds are growing fast. After a wet winter, expect a lot. See why rain creates fuel.
• Book grazing. Spring is when calendars fill up. See when to book.
• Prepare the site. Use the preparation checklist.
• Check local deadlines. Some agencies want grass cut by the start of May.

May to June: do the work

• Grazing and mowing. Get the heavy work done while plants are still green and before they go to seed.
• Mow near buildings. UC guidance is about three to four inches for at least thirty feet around structures.
• Clear the first five feet next to the house of anything that can burn. See the ember-resistant zone.
• Clean the roof and gutters, and trim branches over the roof.

July to September: hold the line

• Watch for regrowth, especially along edges and in irrigated spots.
• Avoid mowing on red-flag days. A mower blade striking a rock can start a fire in dry grass.
• Keep water and tools accessible.
• Know your evacuation plan, and keep access roads clear.

October to November: the second season

In much of Southern California, the worst fire weather arrives in fall, with Santa Ana winds on dry vegetation. Do not take the vegetation work off the list in September. Check the property again and finish repairs.

Then start again

Write down what worked while it is fresh. Most landowners who stay ahead of fire season do it by keeping a simple repeating calendar, not by one big effort in June.