Heartland Fire Urges Lemon Grovers to Cut Weeds

Heartland Fire and Rescue, which serves Lemon Grove, is urging residents to cut their weeds.

Spring has arrived and with that, City Hall soon will start getting regular complaints about tall weeds on both commercial and residential properties, fire officials wrote in the city's newsletter.

Dry weeds are not only a fire hazard, but also offer shelter for rats and other pests, officials said.

"You are responsible for the area between your property line and the curb  (including th area between sidewalks and curbs), and also from your property line to the middle of the alley," Heartland officials wrote in the newsletter.  "Ditch banks on your property should also be cleared of any weeds."

The fire department can issue a notice of violation to residents and business owners who don't comply.

The following tips were included in the newsletter:

Do:

• Keep weeds less than 12 inches high
• Remove all toxic weeds completely - this applies to flowers, shrubs, herbs, or other garden vegetables as well.
• Put all clippings and branches into the green waste carts.

Do Not:

• Sweep, blow, or wash clippings into the street or down a storm drain. (It's illegal.)