Crews clear ‘fire-prone’ brush along local highways

This summertime-like heat in spring is creating some fire hazards, specifically along local highways where grass and brush has become overgrown.

Just a few months ago, crews said they were clearing storm debris and cleaning up storm damage. Now they’re working to keep the roadways clean and clear to prevent any roadside fires.

Caltrans crews are mowing high grass and clearing weeds along highways, on Tuesday it was Highway 101 in Salinas.

“The urgency comes as the grass gets drier and drier,” said Susana Cruz with Caltrans. “But luckily we have time from when it’s still green to when it turns to dry.”

According to Caltrans, adding these operations to the ‘to-do’ list not only helps prevent roadside fires, but also helps with visibility and safety on the highways.

“Safety devices need to be clear and being that safety is our top priority for motorists and workers, then we have to keep that as number one,” added Cruz.

Caltrans also adds that late April and early May is the time of year when they do this kind of work, unless there’s some unseasonable heat that really dries things out.