Reduce fire risk, nuisance from grass & weeds

ROSEBURG, Ore. – With wildfire season underway and weather forecasts predicting highs at or near 100 starting Sunday, the City reminds property owners to maintain all grasses and weeds to a maximum height of 12 inches year-round.

At least seven wildfires are being battled in Oregon this week. The largest – the Flat Fire – is burning nearly 34,000 acres west of Grants Pass. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of Douglas County is experiencing moderate drought, with a sliver in the southwest faring slightly better as “abnormally dry” but two small pockets in the county’s north reaches suffering severe drought. As temperatures rise, vegetation continues to dry out rapidly and fire danger to homes and other properties increases.

Under Roseburg Municipal Code, public and private property owners are not allowed to create a public “nuisance” through excess or “obnoxious” vegetation on any property. Failure to maintain grasses and weeds at the appropriate height could lead to fines or penalties imposed by the City. The City Code applies to all property and property owners, including owners of vacant properties in residential subdivisions.

“Mowing and trimming regularly helps to reduce fire risk, but also prevents properties from becoming eyesores with long grass and tall weeds,” said Roseburg Community Development Department Director Stuart Cowie. “Keeping your lawn mowed and weeds trimmed regularly helps to make Roseburg a safe and beautiful place.”

Under Roseburg Municipal Code 7.04.005, “obnoxious” vegetation includes weeds, grass or legumes taller than twelve inches; poison oak or poison ivy; vegetation that obstructs vision; vegetation including blackberry vines that extend into the public way, are used for habitation by trespassers, or pose a fire hazard because they’re near other combustibles. That doesn’t include agricultural crops that aren’t a fire hazard or vision obstruction, or natural vegetation in areas designated to remain in a natural vegetative state and that don’t pose a fire hazard as determined by the Roseburg Fire Chief.

Roseburg Municipal Code 7.04.140 states obnoxious vegetation won’t be allowed on public or private property except in wetland and riparian areas along creeks and rivers, or where strict compliance would be impractical as applied to a type of obnoxious vegetation; part of a parcel; or the height of weeds, grass or tree branches. The Roseburg City Manager determines when requirements are impractical, according to the code.

Roseburg property owners can do their part to reduce wildfire risk by removing dead, combustible vegetation, mulch and other materials, as well as keeping lawns mowed and plants watered. Wildfire season lasts until the first rains in fall. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office advises property owners to keep your property “lean and green.”

For that reason and to comply with the municipal code, all tall weeds and grasses, including blackberry vines, must be kept to the 12-inch height restriction year-round. 

Thank you for helping to keep Roseburg beautiful and our residents and businesses safe from wildfire. For more information, contact the Roseburg Community Development Department at cdd@cityofroseburg.org or 541-492-6750.