Some of the weeds along Moffat Boulevard south of the 120 Bypass overcrossing are approaching 7 feet in height.

That is addition to a robust crop of Russian thistle with many in the neighborhood of four feet high and wide.

They will create posing rolling traffic hazards that are next to impossible to dispose of in 96-gallon green waste carts.

Unlike the rest of Moffat Boulevard south of the overcrossing, the City of Manteca is not responsible for weed abatement.

It’s railroad right-of-way right to the edge of the Moffat pavement.

As such, it is private property.

Across the street, Russian thistles in the Caltrans right-of-way have a wide enough spread that there are places where less than half of the 6-foot sidewalk has been blocked.

It forces the occasional pedestrian out into the curbside bike lane.

Assistant City Manager Kevin Jorgenson said the city fire department has the authority to issue a weed abatement citation on such property.

The fire department issues weed abatement citations throughout the year while keeping a close eye on vacant fields where reoccurring weed growth could clearly lead to fires with the potential to threaten homes and other structures.

The city, as an example, has a close working relationship with Caltrans to make sure the state agency is aware weeds are getting to the point they could pose a public safety issues and need to be abated.

It is an issue both agencies take seriously.

Roughly 25 years ago, weeds along freeway right-of-way within the southeast quadrant of the 120 Bypass/Highway 99 interchange caught on fire.

Before it was under control, a northbound elderly couple became disorientated in the thick smoke and drove into the burning field. One died as the result of the incident.

The city, which owns land south of the 120 Bypass between Moffat and the railroad right-of-way, aggressively sprays the area to reduce the emergence of weeds.

Manteca also contracts with the San Joaquin County Office of Education conservation Corps to abate the area along the Moffat segment of the Tidewater on an annual basis as well as other municipal property that is prone to be infested with weeds.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com