Driving down the highway on Tuesday minding my own business I saw vehicles pulled to the side of the road and smoke billowing up...surely it was an accident. Just then to my left from a side road came a blaring fire truck which nearly ran me off the road!
IT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT! What it appeared to be was that someone threw a lit cigarette out the window and caused a fire along the highway. Thankfully it was only grass but there was plenty of brush not too far away.
When the weather is in the upper 90's and rain is scarce the stage is set for forest fires. There are plenty of options available to drivers who smoke... like ashtrays or that bottle of water with a little water in the bottom, butts don't belong on our grass! It is very difficult, if not impossible to trace down the careless, thoughtless fire-bug who just turned the highway into a fire zone but a little consideration would really be a big help!
Safety tips:
- Obey Burn Bans Especially when its hot & dry
- Thoroughly extinguish all fires even if its only a cigarette! KEEP YOUR BUTTS IN THE CAR!!!
- When pulling to the side of the road, find a paved or dirt area to stop your car. The under carriage of your car can ignite tall dry grass
- Trim back all brush & dead wood off trees and around your home. There should be a 30-50 foot buffer around your home.
- If you barbeque, keep the barbeque away from your home preferrably on a concrete pad, have a hose handy and NEVER leave the barbeque unattended!
These are just a few tips that can help keep you and others safe from unnecessary fires. And as Smokey the bear would say, "ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!"
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