Tips For Outdoor Burning

3/12/2019 (Permalink)

Tips For Outdoor Burning

Use caution when burning outside. A grass fire and quickly become a damaging structure fire.

Let's face it, outdoor burning is the last thing most of us want to do right now.  Not only is it uncomfortable this time of year, if conditions are right it can be dangerous. But at SERVPRO we get calls each summer about homes and businesses being damaged because an outdoor fire has gotten out of hand. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe. 

Be aware of conditions.

• Don’t burn on a windy day. One local fire department outlines regulations on their website and bans voluntarily burning with wind speeds over 13 mph.  This can change very fast so be vigilant.
• Don’t burn in dry conditions. As of the time of writing this blog we are dry in the Joplin and Carthage area. Annual rainfall is down meaning the vegetation is dry and can catch fire and spread quickly.

Check with the local Fire Departments. The above factors and many more go into the process of determining the local fire warning. Check with your local fire department and they give you a fire warning level that will range from…

• Low
• Moderate
• High
• Very High
• Extreme

Burn in a suitable location.

• Don’t burn under trees or powerlines.
• Don’t burn near any structures.
• Insure a 10’ perimeter around your burn pile is gravel or is soil with no vegetation. If there is vegetation keep the area wet by periodically using a hose to wet it.

Be vigilant and be responsible when burning. Not only is your property at risk, so is the property of your neighbors.