...call for dangerous solutions -- ?

File this under Inmates Running the Asylum: Received from Antonio R. Villaraigosa's office today, a "NOTICE" that the fire department now will be charging $13 to conduct its usual inspection of residential properties in High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. If you don't pay the fee right away (within 30 days), the penalty will be 100%.

BUT, you can opt to do your own inspection -- that's right. And if you do your own inspection then you don't have to pay anything. Just mail in a copy of the parcel map (or draw one) and send in a photograph (or drawing) proving your compliance. Then walk around your yard and inspect it. (Actually, in all seriousness, you should do this anyway, but you knew that....)

That should make up for any reductions of work force the fire department has enacted or may be considering. The honor system: AKA fee ordinance No. 172,449. Effective in April.