Tips to prevent brush fires

With most of the snow cover, many residents will at least take the opportunity to burn brush waste and other waste from their farms. However, local firefighters all remind you to aware that the conditions remain very dry and that the threat from brushes is still very real.

On Saturday, firefighters reacted to a small brush fire from the Ed Clark Road in Hubbardston.

An update of March 7, which was provided by Massachusetts DCR State Forest Fire Control for the local fire brigades, according to Gardner fire chief Greg Lagoy, gave the Greater Gardner area at a level 3.

“That has not changed since last autumn,” said Lagoy. “A limited precipitation in winter did not improve the situation and with spring winter waste comes on the forest floor, which was quickly dry out due to warmer winds and lack of leaves on trees so that the sun could penetrate directly on the floor.”

Chef Tom Smith in Winchendon said that the risk of forest fires had increased significantly despite the melting snow in the region.

“Before you carry out a brush burning, always inquire with the fire brigade to ensure that the burning is allowed,” said Smith. “Pay particular attention to the weather forecast, in particular the wind conditions, the air humidity and the temperature, as strong winds or dry conditions can spread brush fires.”

Permits that are required before an open burning

The residents should always call the telephone number in their combustion permit to confirm that burning that is permitted that day, added Smith.

More: Combustion season outdoors in MA: What Gardner Area Fire Chiefs say about this year

All communities Greater Gardner require the residents to receive a daily approval of their local fire brigade before an open burning.

Chef Kyle Butterfield from Westminster said that a local burn on days with dry, warm and windy weather conditions could be banned.

“The local fire brigades melt with the most snow blankets, and without significant rainfall in the long -term prospects, the brushfire season began,” he said, adding that Leominster, Devens and a large part of the southern district of Worcester had already seen several brush fire.

How to lower the risk of brush fires

But because the snow cover in the Greater Gardner lasted a little longer, the surroundings have so far only seen a handful of brush fire, according to Lagoy.

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“Open brush fountain runs until May 1st, and so far there was only one day when burning was prohibited due to strong winds,” said Lagoy. “My advice is now to branded with an open fire, to have its permission on the spot, keep fires small and have a water source ready. Call 911 immediately when a fire gets out of control – it will spread quickly with the dry conditions, as we saw repeatedly last autumn. “

Smith recommended that it to create a safe zone before burning a brush by setting up a wide area around the pile of fire, which was cleared by dry, flammable materials.

“It is also important to keep firefighting tools such as a hose, shovel and rake nearby if the fire escapes,” he said. “Make sure that the fire is completely deleted before leaving the location, even if it comes out, as it can smell down again under dry conditions.”

State officials and local fire departments would continue to monitor the conditions every day and impose prohibition on public security if necessary, said Lagoy.

This article originally appeared in Gardner News: Gardner Area Fire Brigade officers urge caution with open burning