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| 10 Simple Steps to Protect Your Home From Wildland Fire | |
| Texas Burn Ban Map | |
| Fire Safety Tips for Rural Residents | |
| Welding Safety Tips | |
WILDLAND FIRE PROTECTION INFORMATION
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10 Simple Steps to Protect Your Home from Wildland Fire
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.
1. LPG tanks should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire. Keep area around the tank clear of flammable vegetation.
2. Store gasoline in an approved safety can away from occupied buildings.
3. All combustibles such as firewood, wooden picnic tables, boats, stacked lumber, etc. should be kept away from structures.
4. Clear roof surfaces and gutters regularly to avoid build-up of flammable materials such as leaves and other debris.
5. Remove branches from trees to a height of 15 feet or more.
6. In rural areas, clear a fuel break of at least 3 times the fuel length around all structures.
7. Have fire tools handy such as: ladder long enough to reach your roof, shovel, rake, and a bucket or two for water.
8. Place connected garden hoses at all sides of your home for emergency use.
9. Assure that you and your family know all emergency exits from your home.
10. Assure that you and your family know all emergency exits from your neighborhood.
A few things you should be aware of during these dry, warm periods...
1. Know if there is or is not a burning ban in place for your town, city, or county.
2. If you burn, clear a large area on the ground of any combustible material, such as grass, leaves, and scrap wood, burn only what you want to burn.
3. Do not leave your burn pile unattended and have a hose at the ready.
For more information, visit the Firewise Communities Project website.
Fire Safety Tips for Rural Residents
Create a defensible space of at least 30 feet around your house and outbuildings; closely mow lawns and trees should be pruned and spaced widely apart.
Establish fuel breaks along roadways and between buildings and fields or woodlands.
Keep mufflers and spark arresters on agricultural equipment in proper working order and watch out for rocks and metal when bush hogging or mowing.
Monitor hay-baling operations closely, dry hay can ignite within the baler.
Watch out for sparks when using welding equipment to build fences or repair equipment.
Avoid driving or parking vehicles in grassy areas where tall, dry grass comes into contact with hot pollution control equipment under vehicles.
Postpone outdoor burning until your area greens up, check with local fire department to determine if ban on outdoor burning have been lifted.
When debris burning is allowed, establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil prior to lighting your fire. Burn trash in a burn barrel or other fire-safe receptacle covered with a wire mesh or gird that will help contain burning debris. Stay with your fire until it is out.
Precautions to take when you use welding equipment outdoors: