Fire Chief David Topping is urging everyone to take extra precautions this week to prevent grass fires, which are extremely prevalent under dry, warm conditions.
Though a burn ban is not in effect locally, fire danger is always a concern when these conditions are combined, Topping said.
“With the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve been having, everything is extremely dry,” he said. “This means we have a very high potential for fire, and in particular grass fires. The ‘fuel’ for these fires is grass, sticks and leaves or anything like that which have had the moisture pulled out of them by the dry conditions and warm temperatures. These conditions allow fires to start and spread easily.”
Some simple precautions that can go a long way to reduce or stop grass fires:
- Clear any dry brush or debris from your property, especially if it’s close to your home, out-buildings and other structures. These include wood piles, hay bales, pine needles, etc. “A space of at least 30 feet around your house should be free of any material that will burn,” Topping said.
- Clean gutters by removing leaves, pine needles, etc.
- Cut tree branches that hang over the roof of your home.
- To prevent sparks from entering your home through vents, cover exterior attic (soffit vents) and underfloor vents with wire screening no larger than 1/8-inch mesh. Other materials melt and allow sparks in.
- Keep grass cut short and remove highly flammable vegetation, such as cedar trees.
“We really appreciate everyone’s awareness and any efforts they can take to reduce the risks at this time,” Topping said. “We need all the prayers we can get over the next few days.”
For more information about fire safety, see Fire safety & prevention: What you need to know.