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LAKE TAHOE — Area tree services say announcements of mandatory defensible space by local fire districts are fueling business this summer.
Most basin fire agencies now mandate defensible space, and in California they can use fines to enforce the clearing of vegetation to encourage fire safety for businesses and homes, causing many residents and business owners to pick up the phone for defensible space work.
Dana Hawley, owner of A1 BMP's & Defensible Space in Tahoe City, said work is steadily busy for defensible space, a continuation of a busy summer last year.
He said the spike of people rushing to get work done after the Angora fire destroyed more than 250 homes in South Lake Tahoe two years ago has died down, but mandates from the fire district keep customers coming.
“The mandatory defensible space is keeping the same flow of business coming through even though Angora is leaving their memory,” Hawley said.
Scott McCarron of Incline Village-based Zephyr Companies agreed and said business for defensible space work is in demand.
“A lot of people haven't really been aware of it in the past and are now catching on,” he said.
George Kirk, a co-owner of Homewood-based Cut-Rite Tree and Spray, echoed Hawley's feelings that the panic after Angora has diminished, but business continues to surge.
Jackie Senske has been seeing that surge for 10 years at Arbor Care of Tahoe, a Tahoe City-based service.
Senske said the company has experienced growth over its decade of business.
“We've definitely seen business go up,” she said. “We're getting a lot of people willing and able to get their work done and are being proactive ...”
Senske said residents often call even before they take the initial steps of contacting their local fire district for a defensible space inspection.
Also, she said, many don't know about the rebate extended to all basin residents by the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Fire Safe Council will rebate 50 percent of the cost of a homeowner's work up to $1,000.
Kirk said the rebate helps people who may have some reticence about the costs.
Those familiar with the costs associated with defensible space say the price tag doesn't scare many customers away.
“I think people are willing to pay and the amount of people who do defensible space work has grown,” Hawley said.
Homeowners also are willing to do some of the labor required to create the defensible space.
Senske said some customers will consult with Arbor Care and use the company to help remove trees and other vegetation which requires advanced hardware.
Most basin fire agencies now mandate defensible space, and in California they can use fines to enforce the clearing of vegetation to encourage fire safety for businesses and homes, causing many residents and business owners to pick up the phone for defensible space work.
Dana Hawley, owner of A1 BMP's & Defensible Space in Tahoe City, said work is steadily busy for defensible space, a continuation of a busy summer last year.
He said the spike of people rushing to get work done after the Angora fire destroyed more than 250 homes in South Lake Tahoe two years ago has died down, but mandates from the fire district keep customers coming.
“The mandatory defensible space is keeping the same flow of business coming through even though Angora is leaving their memory,” Hawley said.
Scott McCarron of Incline Village-based Zephyr Companies agreed and said business for defensible space work is in demand.
“A lot of people haven't really been aware of it in the past and are now catching on,” he said.
George Kirk, a co-owner of Homewood-based Cut-Rite Tree and Spray, echoed Hawley's feelings that the panic after Angora has diminished, but business continues to surge.
Jackie Senske has been seeing that surge for 10 years at Arbor Care of Tahoe, a Tahoe City-based service.
Senske said the company has experienced growth over its decade of business.
“We've definitely seen business go up,” she said. “We're getting a lot of people willing and able to get their work done and are being proactive ...”
Senske said residents often call even before they take the initial steps of contacting their local fire district for a defensible space inspection.
Also, she said, many don't know about the rebate extended to all basin residents by the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Fire Safe Council will rebate 50 percent of the cost of a homeowner's work up to $1,000.
Kirk said the rebate helps people who may have some reticence about the costs.
Those familiar with the costs associated with defensible space say the price tag doesn't scare many customers away.
“I think people are willing to pay and the amount of people who do defensible space work has grown,” Hawley said.
Homeowners also are willing to do some of the labor required to create the defensible space.
Senske said some customers will consult with Arbor Care and use the company to help remove trees and other vegetation which requires advanced hardware.
