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Summertime Precautions
Wildland Fire Precautions
- Wildland fires are the greatest threat to our County in the summertime
- When there is a burn ban in your jurisdiction this means NO fires whatsoever!
- Burn bans typically run from sometime in June until September
- Even the smallest spark can start a fire which can quickly get out of control
- Fire sources include campfires, weed burning, lightning, welding, shooting, fireworks, or any other activity that generates a single spark
- Do not take any chances, especially when there is any kind of alert from NOAA, such as Fire Weather Warning, Alert, or Red Flag Warning.
Summertime Fire Safety - Grilling
- Keep barbecue grills away from anything that can burn.
- Stay with grill when lighted, keep children and pets well away from area.
- Protect yourself by wearing a heavy apron and an oven mitt that fits high on your forearm.
- If you get burned run cool water over burn for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Never use a grill inside your home. In addition to being a fire hazard the grill can easily cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
- For charcoal grills only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills.
- For gas grills, always store gas cylinder outside and turn off valves when not in use.
- Fireworks are designed to burn and explode, and are a leading cause of injuries in the United States.
- Some fireworks are banned entirely, or may only be allowed during a very small windows around the July 4th holiday.
- Children between the ages of 10 and 14 are at the greatest risk of injury from fireworks.
- National Fire Protection Agency recommends that all fireworks, even those marked legal, be used by professional pyrotechnicians.
- Trim tree limbs so they don't hang over your roof, and keep gutters free of leaves and other debris that burns easily.
- Make a defensible area around your home by clearing weeds, brush, and other flammable vegetation at least 30 feet away from your home.
- Always store firewood away from any structures, and check with the local fire department prior to burning of brush or trash.
- Consult your fire department about types of fire resistant plants and vegetation for use in landscaping.
- Store gasoline outside the home, preferably in a locked detached shed.
- Use gasoline as a motor fuel only.
- When transporting gasoline in an automobile, place in a sealed container in the trunk with the trunk lid propped open. Take a direct route home and never store gasoline in a vehicle.
- Before fueling your boat extinguish all smoking material and shut off motors, fans, and heating devices. Be sure to ground the fuel nozzle to the fuel intake, and leave room for expansion in the tank.
- Wipe up fuel spills immediately and check bilge for for fuel leaks and odors. After fueling and before starting motor ventilate with the blower for at least four minutes.
- On board your covered boat, consider installing a smoke detector and test the battery before using the boat.
- use only portable stoves designed specifically for marine use
- Liquid and solid chlorine-based oxidizers are commonly sold for home pool care as hydrogen chloride products. These chemicals can spontaneously combust if contaminated by organic materials(such as body fluids, acid rain, etc) or hydrocarbon liquids such as fuel or motor oil.
- Toxic fumes are a product of this type of fire and may require resident evacuation.
- Store pool chemicals in accordance with the manufacturers directions and always store outside the home.
- Fire retardant tents are best, and always pitch them well away from your campfire.
- Only use flashlights or battery powered lanterns. Liquid fueled devices used in an enclosed space present a fire and carbon monoxide threat.
- Build your campfire downwind from your tent site.
- Obey park service regulations, and clear away all dry vegetation from your fire pit. Use park provided fire pits when available.
- Never use gasoline as a fire starter, and always store liquid flammables away from campfire site.