Over the Garden Fence – The Partnership Between Humans and Nature During Fire Recovery: Part 5 – Sierra Sun Times
Do your part to prevent human caused wildfire: Part 5
September 26, 2022 – By Michele Nowak-Sharkey, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County — The largest natural cause of fire is lighting. However , most fires are human triggered. The percentage varies from 89% : 95% depending on the source. With the increase in drought, fuel build-up in unburned forests, earlier springs, higher temperatures, beetle infested weakened trees, with the particular addition of a bit of wind and the same actions that might have easily extinguished a small fire within the past are now creating dangerous infernos.
Being aware of our everyday choices can impact the number plus magnitude associated with fires in the future.
( https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-prevention-education-mitigation/wildfire-investigation )
Debris and open burning include burn piles, yard debris, burn barrels, ditch/fence line burning, pest control, open up trash burning, burning personal items, distress/signal fires, land clearing, right-of-way hazard reduction, or other escaped controlled burning. Windblown embers or fire creeping from the particular control burn area into un-cleared vegetation are the primary ignition mechanisms.
How to avoid: Landscape particles piles must be in 4 feet by 4 feet hemorrhoids. Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10 ft of the outer edge of pile.
Keep a water supply and shovel close by.
A responsible adult is required by law to be in attendance until the fire is out.
Stay mindful of current weather conditions when burning up. If it’s windy plus the surrounding vegetation is very dry, it may be best to wait and burn another day.
Check Mariposa County for burn off permit requirements. 209 966-1200. ( https://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Fire_Information/Permits_and_Regulations/Mariposa_County_Permitting )
Arson is the criminal act of deliberately or maliciously setting fire to property including public lands with the intent in order to damage or even defraud. Devices and “hot sets” are usually commonly used to ignite fires.
How to prevent: If you see or know of unusual activity within an area where wildfires are occurring, report it immediately. Note descriptions of vehicles and people in the particular area including dates, times, and location. Photos plus videos are extremely helpful!
Equipment/Vehicle fire range through heavy construction to small portable engines (passenger vehicles/RVs, motorcycles, OHV, ATV, trailers, road graders, bulldozers, tractor trailers, welders, grinders, blowing wind generators, chain saws, pumps, generators, etc . ).
Ignitions sources are mechanical breakdowns/malfunctions such as exhaust (direct heat transfer, organic material collecting on the exhaust system, and particles), catalytic converter pieces, hot metal fragments, metal/pavement contact (dragging trailer chains and metal parts), friction, flat tires, spark arrestor malfunctions, faulty electrical system/wiring, collisions, refueling operations, and rock/hard surface strikes.
How to Prevent : Perform regular maintenance on your vehicles – secure chains, inspect for dragging parts, check tire pressure, plus properly maintain brakes. Visit Ready for Wildfire equipment use for more prevention tips. ( https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/equipment-use )
Firearms and explosives make use of requires being aware associated with any firearm projectiles along with flares from flare guns plus signal flares.
Preventing: Explosives, exploding targets, incendiary ammunition and tracer bullets are prohibited on general public lands during high open fire danger. Check for fire restrictions and restricted uses in the area. To prevent wildfires while target shooting, follow these tips:
Bring the shovel plus water or even fire extinguisher.
Place your own targets upon dirt or gravel, clear and away from grass and other vegetation.
If fire danger is high (dry, very hot, and windy) consider capturing at an established outdoor or indoor range.
Know your ammunition – don’t shoot steel component, tracer, or incendiary bullets.
Bullets can ignite when striking solid objects, sending warm fragments in to vegetation — don’t shoot trash like TVs and appliances or even at rocks and metal targets such as signs.
Fireworks burn at extremely elevated temperatures making all fireworks ignition sources especially the airborne type (i. e., bottle rockets and roman candles). Even sparklers burn at 1200°F.
Preventing: Despite the particular dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks – devastating burns, some other injuries, fires, and even death. Throughout times associated with high fireplace danger, federal and local agencies impose fire limitations and/or fire prevention orders.
Misuse of open fire by minors has its own category. Young children, ages 12 or younger, motivated simply by normal curiosity may use fireplace in an experimental fashion; “playing with matches. ” They look for easily accessible ignition devices and frequently use both paper plus wood fits, lighters, fireworks, or magnifying glasses to ignite fire.
How to prevent: Set a good example and teach children fire safety in an early age. The most critical message for kids to learn is that matches, and lighters are tools and not toys! Parents should never use lighters, fits and open fire for fun – children will mimic the behavior,
Power collection caused wildfires are often due to higher winds, contact with vegetation, equipment failure, or human or even animal connection with a power line (conductor wire). Several of these types of factors may work in order to cause the fire, this kind of as wind flow blowing vegetation into contact with the electric equipment.
How to prevent: Proper maintenance which includes vegetation clearance around gear can help prevent wildfires. For your safety, however , stay away from power lines, meters, transformers, and electrical boxes. Leave the servicing to the professionals – if you see vegetation close or in contact with power ranges or bird nest close to the lines or conductor boxes, notify your utility company.
Recreation and ceremony include campfires improperly constructed, unattended, improperly extinguished, or even abandoned; barbeque/smokers; bonfires; ceremonial fires; gas cookers, warming and illumination devices; luminary (sky lanterns); and outside fireplaces, metallic fire rings and candles.
How to Prevent: Learn how to construct a proper campfire and how in order to put it out. ( https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety ) Never leave grills and smokers unattended. Watch weather conditions closely when considering possess a bonfire, ceremonial fireplace or using candles.
Smoking fires are generated from discarded unextinguished cigarettes and additional materials used for smoking. Wildfires caused by smoking activities or accoutrements, include matches, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes (vape heads), and drug paraphernalia.
How to Prevent: In no way flick cigarette butts away the window. Watch where you toss utilized matches along with other smoking accoutrements. Beware of wind problems when using such paraphernalia.
We want in order to get back to fire as a beneficial effect on the landscape rather than a damaging effect.
As Smokey says “Only YOU can assist prevent wildfires” by our own personal actions and the particular actions we take because a community.
Next Up: Defensible Space and Exactly how to Create It
Related:
Over the Backyard Fence – The Collaboration Between People and Character During Open fire Recovery
For assistance, contact the Helpline from (209) 966-7078 or with [email protected] edu . We are currently unable to take samples or meet with you in person but welcome pictures.
The particular U. C. Master Garden enthusiast Helpline is staffed; Tuesdays through 9: 00 A. M. – twelve: 00 P. M. plus Thursdays from 2: 00 P. Meters. – five: 00 G. M.
Clients may bring samples towards the Agricultural Extension Office located at the particular Mariposa Fairgrounds, but the Master Gardener office is not open to the public. We will not be doing home visits this year because of to UCANR restrictions.
Serving Mariposa County, including Greeley Hill, Coulterville, and Don Pedro
Please get in touch with the helpline, or leave a message by phone at: (209) 966-7078
By email (send photos and questions for researched answers) to: [email protected] edu
For further gardening information plus event announcements, please visit: UCMG website: https://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener
Follow us on Facebook on: https://www.facebook.com/mariposamastergardeners
Master Novel reader Office Location:
UC Cooperative Extension Office,
5009 Fairgrounds Road
Mariposa, CA 95338
Phone: (209) 966-2417
Email: [email protected] edu
Website: http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener
Visit the YouTube channel at UCCE Mariposa .