Untitled Document

Summertime is wildfire time - please use extreme caution

Ada City-County Emergency Management office
The weather patterns and environmental conditions that exist during the summer months create an atmosphere of increased risk for wildfires. Wildfires destroy homes and thousands of acres of scenic country each year.

They cost millions of dollars to fight and present an extreme risk to human and animal life. While we cannot stop fires from occurring naturally, we can limit the human causes. In 2007, there were over 1,000 human caused fires in southern Idaho and Utah that burned more than 288,000 acres. All of those were preventable.

Human causes:

Summertime is a great time to be outdoors. However, many of the activities we enjoy, if handled carelessly, can pose a threat of wildfire.

Unattended and/or ill prepared campfires
Sparks or heat from equipment or vehicles
Tossed, still burning, smoking materials
Unsafe use of gas stoves, barbeques and lanterns
Improper handling of fireworks

Fire prevention practices for…

Campfires

Clear the campfire site down to bare soil
Contain the fire in a rock ring
Never leave a campfire unattended
Keep the campfire away from overhanging branches and steep slopes
Keep a water bucket and a shovel nearby
To extinguish a campfire, drown it, stir it and then drown it again

Vehicle and equipment operation

Never park your vehicle on dry grass
Avoid driving through tall grass
Internal combustion engines on off-road vehicles require a clean and functioning spark arrester
Carry a shovel and fire extinguisher on your OHV/ATV
Be aware of sparks that may be thrown from operating vehicles

Fireworks

Never light fireworks on dry grass or near dry brush or in any restricted area
Always have an extinguisher or water source available
Do not wear loose fitting or flammable, synthetic clothing while using fireworks
Never attempt to re-ignite any firework that does not go off. Dowse it with water and dispose of it properly

Smoking outdoors

Never throw any lighted smoking materials on the ground. Always extinguish them fully before putting them in a trash receptacle
Strictly adhere to all smoking restrictions and guidelines that are posted for the area you are in

Gas grills, stoves and lanterns

Do not overfill propane tanks.
Check all fittings, connections and hoses to make sure there are no obstructions or leaks.

The sooner a fire is reported, the greater the chance that it can be contained before it does great damage.