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EDITOR,

Like everyone, I want to thank our firefighters for their heroic efforts.

Here’s an excellent way to express your gratitude if you own property: Clear your brush. You don’t have to denude your yard, but please do trim unnecessary growth, especially weeds, like Scotch broom. Your neighbors will thank you. The folks who have to defend your house from wildfires will thank you.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has a Web page explaining "defensible space" guidelines at www.fire.ca.gov/communications/communications_firesafety_100feet.php. Not everyone can follow every one of the recommendations, but every little bit helps.

Not up for doing it yourself? Use your tax rebate check and hire somebody. It’ll be the best fire insurance you ever bought. Furthermore, you’ll be pumping that economic-stimulus money back into the local economy. There are lots of folks in the county who do brush clearing or general yard work — ask a neighbor for a recommendation, or look in the classified section or on a local bulletin board.

Caroline Rupp, Boulder Creek