| News Release |
| Release Date: |
06/03/2006 |
Release Time: |
11:42 AM |
| Contact: |
Captain Julie Hutchinson
Public Affairs Bureau
951-940-6330
|
Subject: |
Equipment Caused Fires Keeping Firefighters Busy |
Full Text:
This week CDF/Riverside County Firefighters have responded to a dozen equipment caused grass fires. The fires ranged in size from ¿ acre to over 300 acres. Numerous structures have been threatened and on one fire, a structure received significant damage. Most of the fires were caused by people trying to eliminate fire hazards from around their home and property, and in the process they started a wildland/grass fire. Riverside County residents need to use the right equipment for the job and take extra precautions in the wildland/grass covered areas to prevent fires.
Lawnmowers, weed eaters, trimmers, chainsaws, grinders, welders, tractors, and passenger vehicles can all spark a wildland fire. Your local firefighters would like to recommend the following safety guidelines for equipment use in the wildland or grass covered areas:
Get an early start and use equipment to clear property before 10:00 am ¿ NOT IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY OR WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING! After 10:00 am it is hazardous to use equipment in the dry grass because temperatures rise, the 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 you begin 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/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 mower in proper working order and free of carbon build-up. 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 and then work interior from there.
In wildland/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 10 foot clearance, a round point shovel, and a backpump water-type fire extinguisher ready to use.
Call 911 IMMEDIATELY in case of a fire.
When followed, these guidelines will help prevent a costly and potentially devastating equipment caused wildland/grass fire. Other precautions may be necessary due to the location, hazards, weather, and equipment being used. It is important for citizens to know and understand that they can be cited for improperly using equipment and for starting a fire. They can also be billed for the cost of suppressing the fire and are responsible for any damages that occur to someone else¿s property.
¿The bottom line is we want Riverside County Residents to provide defensible space and to clear their property of hazards, we just want it done safely and the right way¿, said Chief O¿Keefe.
If you would like further information please visit our website at www.rvcfire.org or stop by your local fire station.
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