County fire chief suspends open burning permits

Open burning has been suspended and will remain so during this period of hot, dry weather. There will be an ongoing review of weather and burning conditions to determine if the suspension can be lifted.

Fire danger is very high, so suspending burning can reduce the chances of wildfire.

Provided below are a few helpful safety tips.

• Get an early start and use equipment to clear property before 10 a.m., not in the heat of the day or when the wind is blowing. After 10 a.m. it is hazardous to use equipment in the dry grass because when temperatures rise, humidity drops and the winds increase. It is not worth taking the chance of starting a fire.

• Lawn mowers are designed to mow lawns. Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation.

• Remove rocks and debris in the area before using any equipment. A rock or piece of debris hidden in grass or weeds is enough to start a fire when struck by a metal blade. If the area is too rocky, do not use any metal bladed equipment to clear or remove dry vegetation.

• In wildland or grass-covered areas, spark arresters are required on all portable gasoline-powered equipment including tractors, harvesters, chainsaws, weed eaters, mowers, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.

• Keep exhaust systems, spark arresters and mowers in proper working order and free of carbon buildup. Use the recommended grade of fuel and don’t top it off.

• Keep the engine free of oil and dust and keep the mower free of flammable materials and vegetation.

• Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires that you won’t even see until it is too late. Don’t pull off into dry grass or brush.

• When operating a tractor, always look behind you to where you have been to see if a fire was started. Keep water and a shovel with you to extinguish a fire if one starts.

• When clearing vacant parcels, clear the perimeter of the lot first then work interior from there.

• In wildland or grass-covered areas, a permit may be required for grinding and welding operations and spark shields may be required on equipment. Be sure to have a minimum of a 10-foot clearance, a round point shovel and a back pump water-type fire extinguisher ready to use.

• Call 9-1-1 immediately in case of fire.

Those with questions should contact their local fire stations or visit http://www.rvcfire.org.