FIREWISE EQUIPMENT SAFETY

THE NATIONAL WILDFIRE COORDINATING GROUP HAS RELEASED INFORMATION ON EQUIPMENT SAFETY THAT WILL HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES.

MOW YOUR LAWN BEFORE 10 A.M. BUT NEVER WHEN IT’S WINDY OR DRY. MOWERS ARE MEANT TO MOW LAWNS, NOT WEEDS OR DRY GRASS. METAL BLADES STRIKING ROCKS CREATE SPARKS THAT CAN START FIRES.

IN WILDLAND AREAS, SPARK ARRESTORS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL PORTABLE GASOLINE-POWERED EQUIPMENT. THIS INCLUDES TRACTORS, HARVESTERS, CHAINSAWS, WEED EATERS AND MOWERS. KEEP THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, SPARK ARRESTORS AND MOWER IN GOOD WORKING ORDER AND FREE OF CARBON BUILDUP. USE THE CORRECT GRADE OF FUEL AND DON’T TOP IT OFF.

KEEP A CELL PHONE WITH YOU AND KEEP A SHOVEL, HOSE AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER READY TO USE. GRINDING AND WELDING OPERATIONS REQUIRE A PERMIT AND 10 FEET OF CLEARANCE IN WILDLAND AREAS.

DO NOT PARK, DRIVE OR IDLE ON DRY GRASS AREAS. MINIMIZE SOIL DISTURBANCE-VEGETATION REMOVAL CAN CAUSE SOIL EROSION, ESPECIALLY ON STEEP SLOPES.

USING THESE TIPS CAN NOT ONLY HELP KEEP YOU SAFE, BUT WILL ALSO LOWER THE RISK OF YOU STARTING A WILDLAND FIRE.