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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Second SOU candidate embraces liberal arts ... Portland parents criticize officials over lead at 2 schools ... Southwest Oregon's fire season starts Friday ... Second SOU candidate embraces liberal arts ... Portland parents criticize officials over lead at 2 schools ... Southwest Oregon's fire season starts Friday ... PUBLIC SAFETY Medford's weed and grass ordinance goes into effect June 1 Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted May. 27, 2016 at 3:25 PM Updated May 27, 2016 at 3:47 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted May. 27, 2016 at 3:25 PM Updated May 27, 2016 at 3:47 PM » Social News A Medford ordinance that requires the cutting of grass and weeds to help prevent wildfires goes into effect Wednesday, June 1. City code requires that residents' grass, weeds, brush and similar vegetation can't be more than 10 inches in height between June 1 and Sept. 30. The ordinance can be in effect at other times of the year, if fire officials deem it necessary. Greg Kleinberg, deputy chief and fire marshal for Medford Fire-Rescue, said overgrown weeds and grass are plentiful in areas within the city limits, turning those portions into potential tinder boxes. "There are empty lots, there are fields in the city limits also," Kleinberg said. "If it ignites, the fire spreads pretty rapidly." Kleinberg said he's seen multiple examples of this problem in mobile home parks where weeds and grasses have grown to multiple feet in height. There are also certain problem areas along the Bear Creek Greenway that are close to homes. There are exceptions to the ordinance, including ornamental shrubs and bushes maintained and kept within a landscaped yard, crops grown for agricultural purposes, grass or other vegetation used for pasture and natural areas within city parks. Letters to property owners who need to do some snipping and mowing will be sent out June 1. They can face up to hundreds of dollars in fines a day if the weeds and grass don't get cut. "Code enforcement works really hard to get this done before the Fourth (of July)," Kleinberg said. Complaints about vegetation can be submitted to Medford Code Enforcement at 541-774-2016. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted May. 27, 2016 at 3:25 PM Updated May 27, 2016 at 3:47 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501