Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
On Saturday, March 1, the Jefferson County Fire Rescue (JCFR) issued a public statement warning citizens to be aware of the dangerous conditions, stating that the department had responded to five brush fires that day alone, one of which had caused a structure fire.
Early spring is commonly a time of drought, and there has been very little substantial rainfall in Jefferson County areas in recent weeks. This has created very dry conditions, and coupled with the refreshing spring breeze, this makes for great weather to be outside, but not ideal weather for burning debris and yard waste. JCFR reminds all citizens to never leave a fire unattended, as a situation can swiftly become impossible to control in these conditions.
The Florida Forest Service advises that if residents must burn debris, that they do so in the safest manner possible, and avoid conditions and situations that can escalate. The Florida Forest Service is responsible for administering laws regarding outdoor burning and forest fire prevention.
Generally, yard waste can wait to be burned until conditions are safer, but if residents cannot wait to burn the debris, there are safety measures that they can take to ensure they do not start a brush fire. Escaped debris from yard waste burning is one of the leading causes of wildfires. According to Floridadisaster.org, there are thousands of acres of wilderness and residential property that are destroyed each year by fires that have grown out of control.
While engaging in burning activities, whether it is to clean up a yard, dispose of hurricane debris or simply enjoy a campfire with friends or family, there are several key factors residents should keep in mind.
Keep all burn piles away from buildings. The Florida Forest Service requires a minimum of 25 feet from the woods, bushes, or structures, including your own home. They also state that fires must be at least 50 feet away from any public roadways, and 150 feet away from properties owned by other people. This may seem like a lot, but a fire can travel 100 feet in a matter of minutes, and in the event of a fire getting out of control, residents can benefit from having time to react before the flames reach a structure. According to guidelines, yard debris that is being burned must fit in an 8 foot diameter pile or a noncombustible container.
Fires should be lit after 8 a.m. (CT) and 9 a.m. (ET), and need to be extinguished completely one hour before sunset. Residents may only burn yard waste, which is defined as any vegetation like leaves, brush, tree limbs and palm fronds that have been collected through basic yard maintenance. It is illegal for any resident to burn household waste, which includes paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubber, tires, pesticides and paint containers.
Residents should never burn on windy days, or in dry weather conditions, and should contact the local fire department if they are not sure if the conditions are currently safe for burning. It is the responsibility of the resident to know about local restrictions within the city, county and their own neighborhoods regarding the burning of yard debris.
While burning, it is important to keep tools nearby that can help extinguish the fire if it gets out of hand. A shovel can be used to pour dirt on a fire, and a hose can quickly extinguish any wandering embers. Citizens should be aware that sparks and popping embers within the fire can be expelled from one fire and can land nearby and start a new one, so they should always be aware of their surroundings and prepared to act in the case of unintended flames.
Never walk away from a fire, or expect a fire to burn itself out. If a fire escapes and causes damage, the resident may be liable for associated costs of suppression and/or property damage.
Some conditions can increase the dangers associated with burning. Gusts of wind can easily create and carry sparks and embers from a place under observation to an area that isn't being monitored, allowing for a fire to start without anyone there to stop it. Humidity levels that are low enable fires to grow and spread quickly, making them difficult to put out once they get going.
Early this week, much of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend area was under what is considered to be “elevated fire danger” due to low humidity and strong wind strength. Residents were reminded not to park their running vehicles on dry grass, avoid using equipment that causes sparks if possible, and develop a plan with the individuals in their households about what to do in the case of a fire.
“Managed fire is useful,” says Jefferson County Fire Chief Derrick Burrus. “Unmanaged fire can destroy lives and communities. Accidental fires in homes are generally related to overheating of faulty electrical wiring or unattended cooking. Outdoor fires are generally the result of unattended or poorly managed pile fires. Wind and moisture must be considered when evaluating safe conditions for outdoor burning. Recent wildfires in California and the Carolinas should serve as warnings of how quickly a small fire spreads and destroys property.”
With no substantial rainfall currently expected this week, with the exception of a 50 percent chance Saturday after 1 p.m., these conditions are not expected to greatly improve, and all residents should continue to be extra careful when dealing with open flames.
You must be logged in to post a comment.