Many of us will declare we love to curl up in front of a roaring fire on a cold night, while others have so many fond memories of the great smells and traditions of hanging out around the campfire with family and friends. On the other hand, and in most cases, fire is not something to which we want to become to close and personal, because it can quickly become a totally out of control and deadly demon.
For all of us, there is no doubt fire safety should always be a 24-7 year-round issue in our homes, at our workplace or at play. Fire is always looking for a place to start but can most often be a friendly amenity to any number of social and family activities, as long as it is kept under strict control and always respected. This time of the year, especially with the dry conditions, strong winds and presence of electrical storms, the threat of sudden grass, brush or forest fires is extremely high and volatile in all areas of our province. These conditions have produced many fires over the years, with thousands of acres being ravaged, as well as the devastating loss of homes, buildings, livestock, wildlife, and of course human lives. Likely the most devastating year for wildfire damage was in 2011, when the Slave Lake fire alone resulted in over $700 million in damages.
Getting down to common sense for each and every one of us, the very best way to fight a grass or bush fire is to prevent it from starting, and here are some of the most vital ways.
Cigarettes: Don’t throw cigarette or cigar butts on the ground or out of a vehicle anywhere. Dispose of them correctly and make sure they are completely extinguished.
Burning: Do not burn trash, leaves, or brush outdoors. The use of fireworks in forestlands or grassy areas is strictly prohibited.
Safety Zone: Create a 30-foot safety zone surrounding your home or buildings. Always clear away brush, grass, and leaves away from all structures, especially if you are living in a woodland area. For homes or structures that sit on a steep slope, the safety zone should be increased accordingly.
Firewood: Stack all firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and placing all wood in a shelter (storage shed, shop, or other) will also better protect a home from fire danger.
Yard maintenance: Rake leaves, cut off dead limbs and cut grass regularly. Cut tree limbs within 15 feet of the ground and always remove dead branches that extend over the roof.
Parking: Avoid parking cars, trucks or recreational vehicles on dry grass or brush. Exhaust systems on vehicles can reach a temperature of more than 1,000 degrees F and it takes about 500 degrees F to start a brush fire in the summer.
Work equipment: Use an official spark arrester on all internal combustion engine-powered equipment. This muffler helps to ensure that sparks generated by off-road vehicles, chainsaws, and other power equipment don’t start wildfires.
Educate our children: Parents should stress the importance to their children of not playing with fire, especially in grassy or bush areas, as well as expressing the devastating consequences. All of us must always respect, support, and appreciate the 24-7 efforts of our emergency officials, who enforce those vital fire safety rules and prevention programs, as well as putting their lives on the line when they have to get our and fight one that got away.
BBQ: Always maintain a 10-foot area that is free of brush and shrubbery around grills and propane tanks. A non-flammable screen should be placed over the grill, which should never be left unattended. When the meal is done place the hot ashes in a bucket and soak them in water until they are completely cooled. All campfires should be enclosed and be located not to close to grass, brush, or overhanging branches. It is also vital to have a certified fire extinguisher close by at all times in all locations.
If a fire starts: Call 9-1-1 immediately and tell the dispatcher the address of the property on which the fire is burning. Please remember that the people who don’t follow the provincial fire prevention rules and bans could possibly be issued a ticket, or may even be billed for fire suppression costs, damages, and injuries.
Smoky the Bear: Invites all of us to have a fun and safe spring and summer in our pristine Alberta outdoors but please think first before we light a match or lighter, toss out a cigarette, or perform some other thoughtless act that just might result in a raging, dangerous, and out-of-control fire in just a few seconds.
Thanks for always respecting the safety and well being of others and have a great week, all of you!
— Hammertime