SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is instructing state fire officials to begin fining rural homeowners who fail to clear their properties of brush, trees and dry grass.

Fines can range from $100 to $500.

If homeowners still refuse, officials can clean up the property and send them the bill.

Mike Stewart, Deputy Fire Marshal for the Sacramento Metro Fire Department, said his staff has has mailed out over 1,000 letters to residents who need to destroy excess weeds to create defensible space around their homes.

Stewart advises people to cut down weeds in the early morning when the weather is cool, and to have a hose or extinguisher ready in case a grass fire sparks from using an electric cutter.

"Each year we see disasters that could have been prevented," said Cal Fire Chief Bill Holmes said. "Cal Fire cannot stress enough that now is the time for all California residents to take action. Create defensible space around your homes, become involved in your local Fire Safe Council, and be extra careful when recreating in our wildlands this summer."

Cal Fire is getting its people and equipment ready in anticipation of an active fire season.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an executive order Friday to boost the state's resources.

"This year's fire season has already begun," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "We need every firefighting resource and tool on ready alert, so we can spring to action when disaster strikes."