LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Fire Chiefs Association is asking the public not to mow weeds with mowers of any kind due to the high fire danger.

The chiefs said mowing weeds in the conditions the county is faced with now – such as high temperatures and low humidity – is a recipe for disaster. 

In Lake County just in the last couple of weeks local fire departments, Cal Fire and US Forest Service responded to several fires started by mowing in the afternoon. 

When clearing weeds please use a string trimmer. String trimmers are much less likely to start a fire. 

However, keep in mind that fires have been started by people setting equipment in dry grass with a hot exhaust. 

Faulty spark arrestors also are a common source of ignition.  

The chiefs urge residents to clear weeds early in the morning when humidity is high and temperatures are low; 10 a.m. is a good rule of thumb to use as a stopping point. 

Remember, you can be held responsible for fire suppression costs and damages as a result of a fire you start.