Wildfire Prevention

With elevated fire concerns the next couple of days, we want to make sure you and your family practice wildfire prevention.  Many big fires are caused by small mistakes, so please be careful on these windy days.


Wildfire can strike home if you have not taken some steps to protect your house and property. The actions and precautions listed below are designed to help you prepare your home and lessen the threat of wildland fire damage to you and your property.

• All combustibles such as firewood, wooden picnic tables, boats and stacked lumber should be kept away from structures.
• Clear roof surfaces and gutters regularly to avoid build-up of flammable materials such as leaves and other debris.
• Remove branches from trees to a height of 15 feet or more.
• In rural areas, clear a fuel break of at least three times the fuel length around all structures.
• Have fire tools handy such as: ladder long enough to reach your roof, shovel, rake and a bucket or two for water.
• Place connected garden hoses at all sides of your home for emergency use.
• Use caution when lighting open barbecue grills
• Refreain from yard work on dry, hot days when a spark from a lawnmower hitting a rock could ignite a grassfire
• Keep a watch out for arsonists and others being careless with fire
• Report any smoke or fire immediately to 9-1-1
• Assure that you and your family know all emergency exits from your home.
• Assure that you and your family know all emergency exits from your neighborhood.
• Listen for fire information and instructions on the radio or local television station.
• Park your car away from tall grass. Catalytic converters operate at about 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit under normal conditions. Be aware of this high temperature heat source and take care not to park where "burnables" may come in contact with it.
• Don't toss cigarettes out car windows