Prevention

Equipment Use

Lawn and farm equipment-caused wildfires are common during dry seasons; just one small spark can ignite dry grass. For examples, a lawnmower blade that strikes a rock can send a shower of sparks into dry vegetation. By following these simple guidelines, you will help to prevent a costly and potentially devastating wildfire:

• Get an early start! Start clearing grass and vegetation before 10:00 a.m. After 10:00 a.m., temperatures rise, humidity drops, and winds increase.
• Clean and maintain your equipment by keeping exhaust systems, spark arrestors and mowers in proper working order and free from carbon build-up. Spark arrestors are required on ALL portable, gasoline-powered equipment; including tractors, harvesters, chainsaws, weed-eaters, mowers, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles.
• Clear dry vegetation away from your cutting, welding, or grinding site. Work on a firebrick or concrete floor in an enclosed area; these substances are fire-resistant and eliminate fire spread.
• Prior to mowing or disking, walk the area and remove rocks and debris before using mowers or clearing tools/equipment

Hunting and Shooting Safety

Hunt Responsibly-- Do your part to ensure that you do not start a wildfire. Before constructing a fire, check local fire restrictions and weather conditions. Be responsible and incorporate these tips when zeroing in on your target:

• Shoot in areas free of vegetation and rocks
• Exploding Targets are illegal on National Forest System lands in the Intermountain Region. Explosions emit hot gases that can ignite the surrounding vegetation
• Use safe targets.& Shooting steel or rock may throw sparks and hot fragments
• Incendiary or tracer rounds ammunition that “burns” can easily ignite dry vegetation

Vehicle and Towing Safety

Motorists are responsible for many of the wildfires sparked along the roadways. Nearly all of these fires could be prevented by following these safety rules. 

• Secure safety chains on all towing equipment
• Use appropriate safety pins and hitch ball to secure chains
• Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained:
  • Proper tire pressure can prevent a blowout, exposed wheel rims will throw sparks
  • Properly maintain brakes, brakes worn too thin can cause metal to metal contact which can cause sparks
  • Get regular tune ups to prevent a clogged exhaust system which can launch hot particles into vegetation
• Avoid parking or driving in dry grass and brush. Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start a fire

Kids & Smokey Bear

You are never too old or too young to help prevent wildfires.

Here are some helpful tips:

• Never play with matches, lighters, flammable liquids, or fire
• Tell friends about fire prevention and share knowledge about what to do in a fire emergency
• Stay calm during an emergency and listening to the instructions given by parents by remember assigned meeting place and by come promptly upon hearing the signal
• Keep toys, bikes, and belongings out of the driveway so firefighters and their equipment can come through during a fire emergency

Learn More To Prevent Wildfires

Wildfire Preparedness

Wildfires do not discriminate between trees and homes--if it's flammable it will burn. There are steps that homeowners can take to reduce the risk, with the most important efforts occurring on and immediately around the home. Slope, vegetation types, planting design, location of outbuildings all affect a wildfire's ability to reach your home.

Home Hardening

Not all homes are built the same. The materials, design and construction assembly of a home plays a particularly large role in the home’s likelihood of surviving a wildfire. Exposure to (a) direct flames, (b) radiant head and (c) embers should be considered when doing work to “harden” a home. Flying emberscan destroy a home up to a mile ahead of a wildfire. Take measures to actively reduce the likelihood of a home ignition by installing/retrofitting ignition resistant features – a practice known as home hardening.

• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating
• Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration
• Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home
• Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screens with metal mesh to prevent ember entry

Get Prepared Before A Wildfire

Defensible Space

The home, and its immediate surroundings, are frequently referred to as the Home Ignition Zone.

To prepare your home for the possibility of wildfire, it is critical that you create Defensible Space within the Home Ignition Zone. Defensible Space is “the natural and landscaped area around a home or other structure that has been modified to reduce fire hazard. Defensible space gives your home a fighting chance against an approaching wildfire.” Defensible space can be created in many ways. For example, you can:

• Plant fire resistant plants
• Space plants to slow the spread of fire from plant to plant
• Place wood piles and wooden picnic tables well away from buildings
• Keep roofs free of needles and leaves