It’s time to do some spring cleaning — outdoor style.
The Sedona Fire District and the U.S. Forest Service are joining together to offer Sedona residents an opportunity to dispose of their yard waste and combustible vegetation.
Fire Station 4, located at 391 Forest Road in Uptown, will be accepting yard waste Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 20-22, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participation is open to all Sedona Fire District residents.
Fire Marshal Gary Johnson reminds everyone that fire restrictions are just around the corner and it’s time to be prepared.
“This is the time that your property needs to be clear of weeds, leaves and dead brush,” he said. “Protecting your home from a wildfire starts with you.”
Creating a defensible space within 30 feet of your home can greatly reduce the risk of a wildfire, Johnson said. For those than don’t have 30 feet, start with the first 10 feet around your home.
“Tall, dry grasses provide a path for fire that can lead directly to your house,” he said. “Removing tall dry grasses, leaves and pine needles from your roof and gutters, excess growth, dead leaves and branches, decreases the flammability potential. Pruning tree limbs so the lowest is between 6 to 10 feet from the ground reduces what’s called ladder fuels.”
Yard debris, including brush, tree and shrub trimmings [limbs, trunks], as well as bagged leaves and pine needles may be dropped off during this event. No cactus trimmings are allowed. In an effort to reduce the spread of noxious weeds, leaves, grasses and pine needles must be bagged. Appliances, hazardous materials, garbage, mattresses and other household waste will not be accepted.
If you miss this event, the city of Sedona will have a clean-up event Monday through Thursday, June 6 to 9, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City Maintenance Yard located at 2070 Contractors Road.
To learn how to make your property safe from wildfire visit sedonafire.org or firewise.org or call the Sedona Fire District at 282-6800 for more information or to schedule a free wildfire home assessment.
