How is one supposed to manage/care for pine needles left around their home from pine trees? Fire Hazard?

Question

I live in an apartment complex where, unfortunately the management couldn't care less about keeping the grounds neat clean, or even safe. I have two GIANT pine trees just outside my apartment, which drop needles and cones year round, and especially getting worse now that the weather is starting to change. Should these needles be removed for safety's sake? Are they a fire hazard when so close to a building, especially when in a huge apartment complex, which is OLD buildings...I feel like this place could go up like a tinder box if even a small fire were to start, and a whole lot of people would be homeless. It is basically a slum atmosphere type place....I hate it, but am on disability, and cannot afford to qualify for anything better at the moment. Do I need to get out there and rake and remove those pine cones and needles myself, since management WILL NOT do it. Don't EVEN suggest asking them to....been there, done that with so many things, and even gone so far as to report to city.

Appreciate all the answers and suggestions...but, believe me, Robert, a letter to the management here I ALREADY know will just be ignored, that is how bad it is here in slumsville.
I have reported other building code violations, and health violations in the past to the city here, including the fire marshal....at least I did see them install some fire extinguishers after that last call....will have to call the Fire Marshal again, I guess over this. I went ahead and raked some up myself today, but not really supposed to do any such type of "hard labor"...have a disabled neck and back...48 yr old woman. Quit when I ran into a nest of fireants! Thanks again....pray the fire marshal will take some action this time that will make a difference....this city's various departments have not been much help so far in cleaning up this slum. Just took my trash to the dumpster....there was a guy INSIDE the dumpster...a regular visitor, who comes to collect all the used
cola cans to get paid for them

Answer 1

I wouldn't write management prior to contacting the local fire dept., just go ahead and do it. This way no potential repercussions.

Your fire department will give them a written notice to comply and follow up in a few weeks. At that point if it isn't cleared, they usually give one more warning before sending in an abatement team and send the owner the bill.

Answer 2

YES, they are a fire-hazard, and I'm sorry to hear your apartment manager doesn't seem motivated do anything about it.

What I WOULD do, is type up a nice letter to the manager and the owner stating your concern about the problem. Give them a week or two to clean it up. If the don't... then give the local fire-inspector or health-inspector's office a call or letter stating your concerns.

IF the City doesn't react.. contact a Boy Scout Troop or other such organization and see if they'd be willing to assist. IF you were closer, I'd tromp over and clean it up.

I had to do this with a neighboring apartment building... they refused to clean up, but when the fire-inspector showed up, they got right to it rather than face the fines and loss of insurance.

Good Luck !!

Answer 3

Dry pine needles are a huge fire hazard. Robert is right. If the complex will not comply. Report it to the fire department.