Guidelines for trimming and seeding grasses on lands adjacent to your home

Boise manages over 4200 acres of open space reserves, and much of this land is directly adjacent to residential neighborhoods and businesses. When a fire occurs within open space reserves, it presents a risk to those living and working nearby. The City of Boise actively manages its open space reserves to reduce wildfire hazards in partnership with the community. Every year, the City mitigates fire hazards through projects which include mowing, grazing, herbicide application, and sagebrush thinning. The City has also taken great strides in educating citizens and groups like homeowners associations (HOAs) and neighborhood associations (NAs) on how they can take part in preparing and mitigating wildfire hazards that threaten them in their respective neighborhoods. In an effort to help neighborhoods and residents take part in mitigation efforts, the City of Boise allows the cutting of grasses on land adjacent to Boise Open Space Reserves within 20 feet of any residential land parcel. Within this 20-foot zone, residents also have the opportunity to seed with native grasses in the fall using approved seed types. Only the following activities are allowable: 

• Weed trimming of grass understory, with plastic blades or plastic.

• String, on reserve property within 20 feet of the property line, if the property is directly adjacent to a Boise Open Space Reserves.

• Seeding of native grasses (approved native grasses will be determined by the Foothills Restoration Specialist and guidance from the NRCS web soil survey).

The following guidelines must be met to perform the allowed activities:

• Grasses shall not be cut less than 4" in height on flat terrain and 6" in height on sloped terrain, in order to maintain the integrity and stability of the soil in treated areas.

• Cut or trimmed organic materials must be bagged and removed from the site to reduce the spread of non-native invasive grasses, and to reduce wildfire risk. Due to the highly invasive nature of Rush Skeletonweed, pulling and bagging this weed prior to trimming grasses is strongly encouraged.

Prohibitions and Restrictions:

• The use of metal blades, chains, and similar metallic implements is specifically prohibited.

• Internal combustion engines may not be used for wildfire mitigation activities between July 1 and September 30 of each year.

• During the period when the use of internal combustion engines is allowed, all internal combustion engines used for fire mitigation activities must have a spark arrestor.

• The removal of shrubs, brush, and trees are prohibited unless specifically approved on a case-by-case basis.

• Denuding the ground (removal of grasses down to bare earth) is prohibited.

• Herbicide applications are prohibited.

• Use of fire is prohibited. The planting of non-native vegetation is prohibited.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOUR MITIGATION WORK DOES NOT START A FIRE – The following best practices are strongly advised!

• Have a fire extinguisher on hand, as well as a garden hose and a working cellphone in case a fire is started.

• Do not lay hot equipment in dry grass where it may ignite flammable grasses.

• Refuel tools away from any vegetation, on paved surfaces. Store gasoline away from the work area.

• Avoid running equipment when hikers or wildlife are present.

• Discontinue work until they are clear from the area.

• Inform neighbors that you will be completing this mitigation activity.

For questions, please email the QRNA with Firewise in the Subject line. I’m aware that many of you are not able to do this yourself, but most lawn companies will. J.B. Landscaping (208-703-9536). Jose does quite a bit of work here on the hill and has agreed to give discounts to us to cut down our extended back yards.