During this time of year, the weeds and grasses have dried out and present a real fire danger.
As SMOKEY BEAR so eloquently states “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires!” *
Remember the following:
• Do not toss cigarettes out of a car window. 1 out of every 10 wildfires is caused by a
• careless smoker.
• When conducting metal grinding, cutting, or welding operations be cautious of sparks
• landing in combustible areas. Keep a fire extinguisher and/or garden hose readily available.
• When towing an ATV, boat, construction, landscaping, or recreational trailer do not let the trailer safety chains drag on the ground. The sparks created by the safety chains dragging on the roadway can ignite a fire along the shoulder grasses.
• Never park your vehicle on dry grass or weeds. The catalytic converter can ignite combustibles underneath the vehicle.
• Be alert to weather conditions, especially low humidity and windy conditions. Red flag warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are severe enough to proliferate fires.
• Maintain a defensible space of at least a 50 foot of cleared area around your home. Vegetation that is growing near your roof eaves should be trimmed, to prevent ladder fuels. “Ladder fuels” are combustible vegetation that will support and extend burning into a structure.
• Call 9-1-1 if you observe smoke or fire along a roadway. You may be the first to report a situation that can be controlled, in the incipient stage.
Contact the Cathedral City Fire Department for additional fire safety information at (760) 770-8200 or visit us on the web at www.cathedralcityfire.org
* Wildfire Prevention tips shared by the National Forest Service.
