If they had cleared out around their houses the way I have,
They can't. Enviro regs won't let them clear the brush to create said fire barrier.
Brad
I remember a case some years back where a guy cleared the brush as the fires were approaching, saving his home, and the EPA, FWA, or some other government agency fined him on the basis that his actions threatened an endangered species of kangaroo rat.
He told the .gov to go to hell, and told them to take him to court, as he wanted them to convince a jury that a rat was more important than a person's home.
In this case, fearing adverse publicity and a loss in court . . . the .gov backed down.
Anyway, clandestine spraying of Round-Up will take care of the unwanted brush. ("Honest, inspector, I LOVED the brush around my home - vandals must hate me, and I hope you catch them!!!")