Provide for the annual removal of fuels within the defensible space. Provide fire suppression resources from any agency the opportunity to successfully protect structures and other valuable properties during a wildfire threat. A working partnership between property owners, their neighbors, and the Ventura County Fire Protection District is the best defense against disastrous fires. Ventura County Fire Protection District's Ordinance 23 is designed to minimize fire danger by controlling the density and placement of flammable vegetation. The Fire District does not recommend indiscriminate clearing of native chaparral and other vegetation.
Natural vegetation plays an important role in erosion control.
The delicate balance between erosion control and fire hazard reduction can be achieved if all members of the Fire Prevention partnership do their part. Fire personnel inspect properties to determine hazard levels. Owners of property on which a hazardous vegetation condition exist are asked to correct the problem. If a property owner does not comply with the ordinance, a contractor will be hired to complete the necessary work. Inspection and administrative fees will be charged and the cost of correcting the hazard will be added to the property owner's tax bill.