As fire season intensifies, high-risk properties can pose serious risks. These sites—often neglected—can exacerbate fire outbreaks that threaten entire neighborhoods. Here’s a comprehensive guide to defending these properties, backed by credible data and expert sources.
1. Why Nuisance Properties Are Fire Hazards
Typical fire sources in hazardous properties include:
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Accumulated and overgrown vegetation/dry materials
- Unauthorized inhabitants using candles, grills, heaters
- Hoarder properties cause ingress/egress problems
- Arson attempts
These fires not only destroy property but threaten adjacent homes and block firefighter access.
2. Regional Data and Resources:
California
- CAL FIRE reports that four of the state’s largest fires have occurred since December 2017, with 15 of the top 20 since 2000—underscoring wildfire growth in the urban-wildland interface.
- California's updated defensible space guidelines on CAL FIRE's website offers city and region-wide tips and fire data resources to keep residents safe.
Nevada
- Nevada fire safety resources recommend proactive inspections and defensible space protocols in line with neighboring California’s standards.
Arizona
- Arizona's defensible space guidelines mirror California's emphasis on fire safety and prevention by clearing vegetation and securing vacant properties—following national NFPA and International Fire Code best practices.
3. Essential Defenses for Nuisance Properties
- Ensure defensible space
- Establish clear zones around structures, per established fire codes.
- Regular inspections
- Monthly or bi-weekly checks can identify unsecured entries, combustible debris, or illegal occupants.
- Secure vacant properties
- Board up windows, install fences, and make signage clear to deter squatters and arsonists.
- Remove ignition sources
- Eliminate debris, flammable landscaping, and outdated utilities.
- Collaborate with local fire councils
- California has “fire safe councils” which support defensible space audits, chipping services, and grants—greatly improving neighborhood resilience.
- Document & enable cost recovery
- San Diego’s fire code permits recovery of remediation costs and abatement for violations (sdcounty.ca.gov). This helps offset enforcement costs. Check with your city for similar allowances.
4. Legal & Receiver-Led Tools
Insights from Griswold Receivers:
- Effective strategies include securing vacant buildings, implementing periodic inspection routines, and mitigating fire risks through routine maintenance.
- Under receivership, Griswold Receivers performs critical property triage: securing, cleaning, hardening, and working through city-code channels to remediate hazards, ensuring a proactive approach.
5. Best Practices Summary
|
Task
|
Objective
|
Legal/Effort Tool
|
|
Clear Spark-Ready Debris
|
Remove dry vegetation & junk
|
CAL FIRE/Local Code
|
|
Monthly Property Audits
|
Detect hazards early
|
Inspection logs
|
|
Secure All Structures
|
Prevent squatters & unauthorized entry
|
Boarding, fencing
|
|
Vegetation Management
|
Maintain defensible space around structure
|
Model guidelines (osfm.fire.ca.gov, cdnverify.bof.fire.ca.gov)
|
|
Cost Recovery Documentation
|
Reclaim enforcement expenses
|
In CA: Fire code §104.13
|
|
Partner with Fire Safe Council
|
Access grant-funded resources & community support
|
Example: CAL FIRE programs
|
*Each state has their own resources and tips for residents. Check your local fire department website.
These combined efforts—bolstered by region-specific codes and case law—can dramatically reduce fire risk during peak seasons. For property owners, municipalities, and court-appointed receivers, understanding and implementing these practices isn’t optional—it’s essential civic responsibility.
To learn more about how the receivership remedy can be a solution to the issue of nuisance properties with a high fire risk, contact the team at Griswold Receivers.
Recommended Resources: