SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. -- El Dorado County issued abatement notices Friday to property owners who have not taken action to remove hazard trees as a result of the Angora Fire.

Hazard trees are those that pose an immediate threat to public health and safety.

The county announced the availability of a hazard tree removal program for all property owners in the Angora Fire burn area on Aug. 28. On Sept. 7, the county extended the registration deadline an additional 10 days to accommodate owners still wanting to participate.

To date, 277 lots are enrolled in the county program. Approximately 3,132 tons of hazard trees have been removed.

The El Dorado County Environmental Management Department has identified 29 private lots with hazard trees remaining on the property.

"Despite our best efforts to encourage property owners to take advantage of the county's program or address the issue themselves, there are a handful of owners who still need to make a decision," said Gerri Silva, Environmental Management Department director. "It would be irresponsible of the county to let these hazards persist."

The county will begin the abatement process if hazard trees have not been removed by Oct. 10, 2007. On October 11, an abatement hearing will be held and a hearing officer may issue an abatement order to remove unsafe trees. Once an abatement order is issued, the county will fall the hazard trees but will not remove them from the property. All costs incurred during the hearing and tree removal process will be billed to the property owner.

As an alternative to the abatement process, property owners can sign up for the county's hazard tree removal program. Hazard trees felled as part of this program will be removed from the property with little if any cost to the property owner.

Property owners exercising this option must sign a Right-of-Entry Permit and a Right-of-Entry Permit Addendum. Both forms must be returned to the Environmental Management Department at 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 303, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Forms are available here.

"Hazards that threaten life or property must be removed," said Silva. "Residents, reconstruction teams, motorists, utility crews and the public at-large demand a safe environment."