EXTREME CAUTION: “If it’s windy, do not burn.”
There were 17 grass fires, igniting Lamar County Volunteer Fire Departments’ schedules and keeping departments busy over the weekend. Lamar County Emergency Management’s Office wants to remind the public to use EXTREME CAUTION when conducting any outdoor and uncovered burning.
According to LCEMO, most grassfires are caused by people, and burning debris that escapes from fires are one of the leading causes of grassfires.
The National Weather Service shows Lamar County and some of its surrounding area facing “extreme drought” conditions, which lead to imperfect times to burn trash or brush; mix in dry grass and high winds and fires can become uncontrollable.
“When the fire danger is high, fires can start easily from most causes, and small fuels will ignite readily,” LCEMO said. “Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape, and fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity burning on slopes or concentrated fuels. Fires can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still small.”
To ensure safe practices while burning debris, Lamar County Emergency Management’s Office recommends:
- Check local burning restrictions before burning.
- Keep debris piles small and manageable.
- Clear vegetation and flammable material at least 10 feet away from your pile.
- Avoid overhead obstructions like trees, power lines and structures.
- Wet the area around the burn pile and have water available.
For more tips on preventing wildfires, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/PreventWildfire/.
Photo: Trent Reed/MyParisTexas.com
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