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Prevent Backyard Fires From Getting Out of Hand | SERVPRO® of Central Garden Grove
7/20/2022 (Permalink)
If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of Central Garden Grove.
There’s nothing better than relaxing by the campfire with your family on a warm summer evening. S’mores, hot dogs and scary stories are just a few of the family activities you can enjoy around the bonfire.
We use these backyard fires to prepare meals, for our own enjoyment, bug control or as a way to clear out dead debris, but even the most contained fires pose a threat. The National Park Service states that around 85% of wildfires are ignited by humans.
California is the most wildfire-prone state in the nation, with over 9,000 wildfires in 2021. California is a very dry state, which affects how quickly these fires can spread and increases their severity.
Of course, you’re still able to light your tiki torches, toast your marshmallows, burn your lawn trimmings and barbecue your burgers, if local laws allow you to. As long as you make sure to follow a few safety precautions every time you burn, you can keep enjoying your backyard fires and reduce the spread of unintentional flames.
Every outside fire has its own set of hazards, but campfires, grills, fire pits and fireworks are some of the most prevalent causes of igniting flames outdoors. Improper usage of grills leads to around 8,800 home fires annually.
Before firing up the grill, check the propane tanks and gas lines that fuel it prior to starting it, and always attend to your grill, even after you’re done using it.
When constructing a campfire, build it in a safe area away from any buildings or vehicles, and only use a lighter or a match to keep your fire burning. Once your campfire is ready, be sure only to use wood to keep the flame going and supervise embers even after you’re done roasting hot dogs.
Fire pits are an easy way to create the feel of a campfire in your own backyard, but this piece of equipment should be used with the same caution as a normal campfire. If you are able to move your fire pit, make sure to locate it away from any overhangs and keep it off of a wooden patio.
While it might seem like an easy way to get rid of construction or household debris, you should only burn approved firewood.
Even with the threats they hold, fire and flammable materials can still be put to good use. During the fall, if your lawn collects a large number of leaves and you don’t have trash disposal or a street pickup option, burning your yard debris might be the only solution to tidying up your lawn.
Before burning anything, make sure your local authorities allow you to burn debris, to begin with. Be aware of any active burning and apply for a permit if necessary. A burn ban is immediately put in place when Orange County’s drought index exceeds 500. This ban will be announced through the local news and social media so keep an eye out for any alerts.
Cleaning dead leaves and yard trimmings is actually a helpful way to safeguard your home from wildfires, as well as strategic landscaping to slow the spread of flames before they can reach your doorstep. Knowing what you can safely burn and understanding the basic fire safety principles can help you keep any backyard flame under control.
We all use our sheds and garages to store materials like gas to fuel our vehicles and yard tools, but irresponsible storage can have disastrous consequences. Make a point to only use authorized containers to keep gas in, and place your containers out of the reach of any children. Gas should only be used for its intended purposes as well, so if you are unable to light your bonfire, don’t turn to your gasoline container for any assistance.
Before lighting any outdoor fire, be sure to check local weather forecasts and local laws. If conditions are very windy or dry, light that fire another day, and save the marshmallows for later.
And if your home is impacted by an outdoor fire, contact our experts at SERVPRO. Our team has years of experience dealing with the aftermath of fires and can work hard to restore your home or its former glory.
Burn safely outdoors. And save some chocolate for us! If you have experienced fire or smoke damage, contact us today to get restoration started faster.