Palm Springs Fire Department Launches Brush Removal Effort Ahead of Wildfire Season

As temperatures rise, so does the risk of wildfires across the Coachella Valley. To prepare, the Palm Springs Fire Department is launching its annual brush removal effort on Thursday, May 1. Officials say they plan to clear 87 acres across 27 designated high-risk wildfire zones throughout the city.

Palm Springs is considered a moderate fire hazard zone, particularly along the mountainside areas. The state provides hazard maps to guide local efforts, and fire crews are focusing on clearing city-owned properties to help reduce the risk of potential fires.

However, officials stress that wildfire mitigation is a shared responsibility. Homeowners and businesses located within high-risk areas are being asked to create defensible space by clearing brush and other flammable material around their properties.

Information about whether a property falls within a hazardous zone can be found on the City of Palm Springs website, under the Fire Department's Community Risk Reduction section. There, residents can access maps and detailed guidelines for brush clearance.

The city hopes that by working together, the community can stay safer during wildfire season.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.