Smokey Bear is correct, only you can prevent forest fires. Despite some recent rain, grass and wood in Sumter County is on the dry side due to little precipitation in the past several weeks. Weather forecasts indicate only moderate chances of scattered showers and storms. Dryness makes it easier for wildfires to occur, though presently there are no active fires in Sumter County. Regardless, one mistake can spark a fire and Sumter County Fire & EMS urges residents to practice extra caution when burning waste or enjoying a campfire. Currently, the fire danger in Sumter County is in the moderate category.
Burning yard waste is one of the leading causes of wildfires in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Burning household garbage is also illegal. This includes paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubber, tires, pesticides, paint and aerosol containers. Burning yard waste, defined as any vegetative debris such as brush, leaves, tree limbs and palm fronds collected from basic yard maintenance, should be done cautiously. If your fire does escape to adjoining properties, you could be held liable for damage to those adjoining properties.
The Florida Forest Service administers Florida’s outdoor burning and forest fire laws and some types of burning require an authorization from them by calling 352-797-4100.
If a wildfire does occur, Sumter County Fire and EMS has a plan of action.
“We typically deal with forest fires once they reach what is called the “wildland/urban interface,” where the forest meets the homes,” says Sumter County Fire Chief Rob Hanson. “This involves life safety, structural and property protection first. Sometimes the best way to do that is to fight the fire to keep it from spreading and sometimes it’s best to let it burn while we save water, personnel and equipment for defending a home or providing an evacuation pathway.”
Burning yard waste does not require a burn authorization, but you must follow the burning requirements:
• Any yard waste must fit in an 8-foot diameter pile or noncombustible container.
• The fire must be ignited after 9 a.m. and must be extinguished one hour before sunset.
• The fire must be 25 feet from your home, woods, brush or other combustible structures.
• The fire must be 50 feet from a paved public road.
• The fire must be 150 feet from other occupied buildings.
• Never burn on windy days.
• Refrain from burning yard waste during dry weather.
• Avoid burning during periods of high fire danger.
• Check local restrictions (homeowners’ association, city, county) to ensure there are no restrictions on burning in your area.
• Consider the weather and conditions: Refrain from burning immediately following a storm and seek alternative removal methods.
It’s also important to prepare the surrounding area before burning:
• Clear an area down to bare soil around your pile to prevent the fire from spreading.
• If using a noncombustible container, cover with wire mesh to keep sparks from flying out and starting new fires.
• Always keep a shovel and water hose nearby.
• Perhaps most importantly, never leave a fire unattended.
Chief Hanson also notes these important practices that can help mitigate wildfires and websites that provide useful informational tools:
Create defensible spaces. These spaces create room for firefighters to defend the structure. They also break up the vegetation that can become a pathway for fire to spread from the forest to the structure or from the structure to the forest. https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/For-Communities/Firewise-USA/Create-Defensible-Space-Around-Homes.
• Become familiar with the FFS outdoor burning regulations, and other local ordinances that govern outdoor burning in your area. https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Burn-Authorizations.
• Report Arson to the Arson Alert Hotline 1-800-342-5869 https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Fire-Prevention
Original source can be found here.
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