Prevent Wildfires: What Can You Do?

Posted: July 03, 2017 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 1 minutes

The Brian Head Fire has been eye-opening to the ferocity and destruction of wildfires. Because of the dry land surrounding Cedar City, there are certain precautions citizens must take to prevent this devastation from happening again this summer.

Experts at utahfireinfo.gov have a few suggestions to prevent unwanted fires from occurring:

Debris Burning

• Check with your local officials to see if it is an "open burn season."
• Inquire with your local fire chief or fire warden to see if a permit is required.
• Have a shovel and water accessible and ready to go.
• Be prepared to stay near your burn until it is out and cold.
• Notify the city or county dispatch when you are ready to ignite.

Building Safe Campfires

• Clear campfire site down to bare soil.
• Circle pit with rocks.
• Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, dry grass, and leaves.
• Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• When putting out a campfire, drown the fire, stir it, and drown it again.
• Always have adult supervision.
• Be careful with gas lanterns, barbeque grills, gas stoves, and anything that can be a source of ignition for a wildfire.

 

Fireworks Safety

• Safety tips for the use of fireworks on PRIVATE LAND when authorized:
• Always read directions.
• Always have adult supervision.
• Never use fireworks near dry grass or other flammable materials.
• Have a bucket of water and a hose nearby.
• Never attempt to re-light or "fix" fireworks.
• Fireworks are not toys.

 

Use only Utah State Fire Marshal approved fireworks.

Keep our beautiful lands safe from wildfire destruction this summer by following these tips.

As of July 3, 2017, there are firework restrictions placed on Cedar City, Enoch and Parowan, as well as other cities across Utah.

Tags: Outdoors