POWAY, Calif. -- Many residents in Poway are very aware of wildfires, as the Cedar Fire in 2003 destroyed 54 homes and the Witch Creek Fire in 2007 burned 90 more.

The city, which has had a brush management program for years, has decided to kick that program into high gear.

The city now requires all homeowners to thin brush within 100 feet of their homes. City officials are using aerial photography to identify problem areas and have sent notices to almost 700 homeowners, telling them to create a defensible space.

"The response has been amazing," said Poway senior code enforcement officer Tomas Borobia. "We've had no refusals to do the work."

Poway homeowner Bill O'Brien said he understands the effort. The area near his home hasn't burned in more than 40 years, and he saw the devastation of the 2003 and 2007 wildfires.

"Basically, everyone realizes the danger that we're going to get hit one day," he said.

Poway Fire Division Chief Kevin Kitch applauds the effort, and said it's inevitable that Poway will be hit with another big fire. He said thinning the brush not only helps the safety of firefighters, but it also helps homes have a better chance of surviving a blaze.

"We want to minimize the risk," Kitch said. "We can now help reduce the impact of these fires when they come through again."

Homeowners who don't thin the brush around their property can be hit with a fine, but so far that hasn't been necessary.