Caltrans comments on problem vegetation

As reported previously on this blog, San Bernardino Fire Chief Michael Conrad has taken issue on what he sees as Caltrans' failure to clear away problem vegetation on the 215 median.

Dry plants helped to fuel the fire that swept southward along the 215 corridor on Monday, causing damage to some businesses in its path.

This morning, Caltrans spokeswoman Barbara Miller said that in the future, the highway agency's plans to widen the 215 freeway mean that some landscaping will have to give way to pavement, reducing the amount of plants that can dry out and catch fire.

Miller also said agency officials are working on an emergency order that would authorize an immediate cleanup of the 215 median.

"They will be going through and remove all the dry brush," Miller said.

I asked Miller about the agency's past interactions with San Bernardino officials. She said she would have to check on that and get back to me.

More to come ...