Local fire departments are reminding residents to take care when burning slash fires after crews responded to three grass fires over the Easter weekend.
Blackpool Fire Rescue responded to a call in Blackpool on Saturday (April 16), with mutual aid from the Little Fort Fire Department, of a slash burn that had gotten out of hand. The fire was classified as an interface fire as the grass fire threatened structures and homes, though thanks to the response from firefighters, the blaze was contained to the field.
“All it takes is a gust of wind and the fire can spread quickly,” Blackpool Fire Rescue noted in a post to Facebook.
Later that same day, the Clearwater Fire Department attended a surface fire above the eco depot where saw dust piles were being used for recreational purposes. When the incident command team arrived, they found numerous used fireworks. The team isn’t certain the fireworks started the fire, they are reminding the public that use the area with off-terrain vehicles to be mindful of the backcountry.
The saw dust piles, which sit on private land, weren’t completely dry which was fortunate in fighting the fire. However, on a hot and dry summer day, the outcome could’ve been a lot different, the fire department noted in a Facebook post.
The following day, the Clearwater Fire Department was called out to another surface fire on the same property. When crews arrived, they found a bonfire that had not been fully extinguished, along with empty cans and broken bottles.
“Have a talk with your kids about the basics of fire safety when it comes to lighting and maintaining a bonfire!” a post to Facebook reads.
The fire departments are reminding residents that while the there may have been a lot of snow, the grass is still dead and dry, making it ideal for sparking a fire. It is recommended that if you do decide to perform any burns, to have a steady water supply ready with enough hose to reach to and beyond the burn area, do small sections to limit the chances of the fire spreading and never leave a fire unattended. It is also recommended to wet the land around the burn area to avoid the blaze from spreading.
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