Abandoned Homes Causing Concern for Atwater Residents

The Atwater Fire Department typically gets triple its average number of calls on the Fourth of July, and this year officials have a new concern.

Abandoned houses pose a serious fire danger with dry grass and dead shrubs. That's why city officials are taking steps now to minimize the risk as the 4th of July approaches.

Fireworks are a big part of many people's Fourth of July festivities. But, it's illegal fireworks that have Atwater City Officials worried.

Ed Banks, Atwater Fire Chief, says, "Anything that explodes or leaves the ground and explodes is not a legal firework, that's not a safe and sane, so once it leaves the ground, there's no control of what happens to it."

Fire Chief Ed Banks and Mayor Joan Faul are especially concerned this year because of the number of abandoned homes with dead, dry lawns. Like many Valley cities, foreclosures in Atwater are on the rise. The people who moved out left bone dry lawns behind, creating a major fire hazard.

Mayor Faul says, "For the other neighbors that surround these homes, they're very concerned about their properties."

"Say the wind is blowing the direction it's going now and this house burned, then it could affect all of these houses in this area, " says resident Bill Benham.

The Fire Department has been contacting property owners and realtors to have the lawns tended to before the fourth of July. But in some cases no one is taking responsibility.

Chief Banks says, "We may have to take matters into our own hands. It may come to the point where we have to hire a contractor to take care of the problem."

Mayor Faul made another suggestion at a city council meeting this week. She recommended neighbors mow or water the abandoned lawns and keep hoses ready just in case.

Mayor Faul says, "Whatever it takes to help each other out, because not only are you protecting their home, you're protecting your home."

The Fire Chief is asking anyone who sees illegal firework use to report it by calling 911.

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