We are currently in a critical stage as far as fire danger goes, and yet, on our travels in and around the Spokane Valley area, my wife remarked how many empty lots with dry weeds and vegetation 2 feet high or more there were. Many of these areas have been developed somewhat as there are paved access ways as well as driveways for future homes to be built.

Why aren’t the owners of these properties taking care of or being notified of the danger their lots pose? While it might be somewhat difficult to contact landowners and developers who are out of state, I would think a quick check of Earthmap would show the most dangerous areas, namely those next to occupied homes, and priorities could be set to rectify this situation.

I would think it would be a small investment to pay a lawn crew once every two or three months to mow down the overgrowth than to risk multimillion-dollar lawsuits from fire damages to adjacent homes and properties as a result of negligence to minimally maintain the land one owns. Firefighters already have their hands full. A little prevention could go a long way to ease their burden.

Jeff Nelson

Veradale