Cal-Fire is getting tough about defensible space. State law requires the clearing of vegetation 100 feet around structures, and there are legal consequences for failing to do so. Cal-Fire/Shasta County Fire has referred 16 cases to the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office for property owners who have repeatedly failed to maintain defensible space. The first violation of the law is an infraction with a $100 fine. A second offense brings a $250 fine. A third violation within 5 years is a misdemeanor with a fine of at least $500. Ca-Fire conducted over 3,700 inspections this year and found about 80% of properties were compliant on the first inspection.