Fire Prevention Tips

The winter and spring rains have resulted in a lot of vegetation around the Oakhurst area. But as temperatures climb, the vegetation dries out… and becomes a serious fire risk. Don’t let your home or property fall victim to a brush or forest  fire. Be sure to maintain your property and landscaping in a fire wise condition.

• Keep weeds and grass cut. Grass in excess of six inches and weeds over twelve inches are a fire hazard..
• Remove dead and piled up vegetation, and dispose of it properly.
• Properly dispose of trash and debris. Piles of refuse such as old furniture, boxes and pallets are fires waiting to happen. Even old cars can burn!
• Stack firewood away from structures, fences or anything else that may be combustible.
• Create at least a 100 ft. or more safety zone or firebreak around your home.
• Limit the use of flammable plants in landscape design. Choose fire resistant varieties.
• Plant trees and large shrubs in sparse, separate areas.
• Limit the use of trees and shrubs that have large volumes of foliage and branches.
• Limit the use of plants that have shaggy bark or dry leaves that shed annually.
• Limit the use of plants that develop dry or dead undergrowth.
• Limit the placement of plants next to structures, under eaves, overhangs, decks, etc.
• Limit the use of plants placed at the bases of trees or large shrubs.
• Remove ladder fuels (plants that provide a link between the ground and tree limbs).

__________________________________________

• Conduct regular maintenance to reduce the opportunity for brush fires.
• Remove low hanging branches. Also, remove tree limbs around chimneys.
• Keep the roof clear. Sweep gutters and eaves, and wash the roof on a regular basis to get rid of dry needles and leaves.
• Control the height of ground vegetation and mow the grass often.
• Remove dead and accumulated vegetation, and dispose of it properly.
• Provide enough water to keep plants healthy and green. Keep irrigation systems in good working order but don't waste water, another precious resource.
• Top trees only when necessary as topping creates too many lower branches that can increase the fire danger.
• Remove or thin the dead wood and the older trees beyond 100 feet from the house.
• Store and use flammable liquids properly.
• ALWAYS dispose of cigarettes carefully.

REMEMBER:

• Make sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly, and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which don't allow fire truck access.

• Have an escape plan and practice it.
• Follow state and local open burning laws.
• Stay with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out.
• Dispose of wood ashes in a metal bucket, soaking them with water before dumping them.

If you spot a forest fire, remain calm, go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to your local fire department. Calmly tell the emergency dispatcher when you saw it and where you saw it. Stay on the telephone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.