Weisbeck: Regulation mitigates risks
MEDICAL LAKE – The City Council is reviewing a new regulation aimed at reducing fire hazards by requiring property owners to remove dangerous vegetation and debris.
Building Inspector Dave Weisbeck outlined the proposal during a July 2 meeting, explaining that the goal is to mitigate fire risks and improve public health and safety.
“It builds on our maintenance code,” Weisbeck explained. “Currently, we treat many issues as nuisances.”
The proposed regulation, Title 9 Chapter 9.10.025, requires all property owners and occupants to remove or destroy all hazardous vegetation and debris.
The regulation is applicable only under certain circumstances from May 1 through Nov. 30 (the dry season), if there has been ten continuous days of no rain, or if the average air temperature is above 70 degrees for ten continuous days.
“It’s not a huge chunk of code, but it does address a specific thing that I have to deal with. It uses my resources,” Weisbeck said.
The regulation defines a fire hazard as vegetative material that is 10 inches or more in length (standing or matted), vegetation within 10 feet of a combustible fence or other structure, and the accumulation of newspapers, dead vegetation, cardboard, or other combustible materials posing a fire risk.
“I’m not trying to invent something new. There are other cities within the county that have something like this,” Weisbeck assured. “This is to protect both yourself and your neighbors.”
Referring to the determination of a fire hazard, he said, “The fire official and the code enforcement officer can make that assessment.”
Mayor Terri Cooper informed Weisbeck, “This is not enforceable; legal is the one that brings this up under the law.”
“I would also add specific coordination with the fire marshal,” Cooper pointed out. “So whatever you’re enforcing, they need to know about it; they need to be notified.”
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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