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Here is important information about
DITCH BURNING
Ditch burning, "controlled burns", field clearing and burn piles are the PRIMARY SOURCE for GUFD 911 fire calls. If you intend on burning your ditch areas, please first review the information on this page. Use your head and be extremely careful with all fires!!! Dry conditions and gusty winds can turn a small burn barrel with cooling ashes into a tremendous wildfire within minutes...much faster than anyone can respond.
DITCH BURNING: WHY IS THIS DONE?
1) To get rid of heavy overgrowth that is often a tinderbox of fuel for fires set by lightning strikes and/or discarded cigarettes. Ironically, this overgrowth is a direct result of the water these ditches channel. The water causes spring and early summer vegetation to sprout up in mass and, when water levels drop, this growth dies and dries.
2) To clear out drainage ditches so water run off does not bottleneck and flood roads and fields.
WHEN SHOULD DITCH BURNING BE ATTEMPTED?
1) During the damp seasons of spring and up through May (weather permitting).
2) Within a few days after rains or snow when the grasses and shrubs are not bone dry.
3) When winds are low (less than 5 mph).
WHERE IS DITCH BURNING DONE?
1) Along fence lines and ditches. Note that the asphalt road forms a natural fire barrier along one side of the fire line. Note too that in windy conditions a healthy fire can easily jump over a road and start another blaze.
2) Ditch burning is NOT recommended for areas close to town where population and property could be jeopardized by accidental fire acceleration. Also, intense smoke could cause respiratory problems with citizens down wind of any fire which would then offer EMS challenges.
3) Certainly not up wind of buildings or property!
WHO SHOULD DO THIS?
1) Adult supervision of all fires is required. This is NOT a job for little kids!!!
2) Established ranchers know the safety rules and also the potential risks. Because of these ranchers' experience their fires are usually controlled and safe.
3) Newcomers and town dwellers are urged to call the GUFD to review these rules and risks BEFORE they attempt to burn anything.
4) The GUFD can be available to supervise burns. Contact anyone on the team to get more info.
NOTES:
1) This is a COMMON SENSE event! SAFETY FIRST! STAY ALERT! THINK!
2) Do NOT attempt ditch burning in high wind conditions.
3) Do NOT attempt ditch burning in dry conditions.
4) Burn in the same direction of the prevailing wind ONLY if that wind is less than 5 MPH and only if a water tank with hose is available at the site at all times.
5) ....otherwise, burn a small area (10 ft wide by 10 ft long). Let it burn out then move UP WIND and start a new fire 10 feet beyond the charred area. Let that area burn to the charred area and burn itself out. Repeat the process, leap-frogging along with small, manageable fire areas. Have a water tank with hose is available at the site at all times.
6) ALWAYS be aware of buildings and property that are within range and/or down wind of the fire. If the fire gets out of control this property could be in harm's way and the person who started the fire will be responsible for this loss of property and/or life.
7) If a wind kicks up remember that the fire can travel as fast as the wind is blowing.
8) Follow all these rules for "controlled burns" of fields.
9) Never, never, never leave ANY fire unattended (even candles). And ALWAYS have a reliable extinguisher ready to use when and if the fire threatens to get out of control!
Note that, realistically, our ONLY REAL defense is education. Water and hoses can help but being proactive and preventing fires altogether is the best solution to this problem. The more everyone knows and understands about fire safety the better off we will all be. Safety must be foremost in our minds; particularly with fire.
Thanks to Shane Burton and Mike Feathers for the information they provided for this page.
THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS FIRE AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION IS SAFETY!
Each season and new day bring their own set of challenges relative to fire fighting and emergency response. Here are some things to consider:
Most of our fire calls are caused by burn piles getting out of control. With the dry and windy conditions so common in this area, it only takes a few minutes for a small flame to take over an acre of land. If you must burn garbage please do so on days when the weather is wet AND the winds are low. DO NOT leave the flame unattended. Do not let the fire get too large and always have water and shovels at the ready. This is a RURAL and very REMOTE area protected by a skeleton crew of volunteers who are spread out over many miles. At the very BEST, the team will start arriving to a fire in no less than thirty minutes after the 911 call is placed. Furthermore, over half of the geography we cover is located 2,500 feet higher than the fire station so getting water and equipment to the scene of a fire takes a long time. Our EMS service responds to a variety of automobile accidents. Many of these accidents can be avoided as most of them involve drunk and intoxicated drivers (please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving site for sad and horrible facts on this national problem) (and read about what you can do about turning this problem around!). A simple equation: If you MUST drink DON'T drive! If your friend is drunk and wants to drive, hide the car keys. Other road accidents are often a result of the driver falling asleep, large animals crossing the road or impossible winter weather conditions. Please drive defensively and carefully! It is far better to slow down and take a little longer to get to your destination than to, instead, end up at St. Mary's (if you are lucky). Remember: "Arrive Alive!" Be on the lookout for potential fire and accident situations. If there is a stretch of road that you KNOW has an ice build up in the winter then slow down when driving that stretch. If the weather has been dry then don't light any fires outside. Always be extra careful with cigarettes, candles and matches (indoors and outdoors). If you need to climb up on a ladder, roof, rock pile or tree make sure somebody knows what you are "up to." Always put SAFETY in the forefront of your thoughts and be diligent on this matter! Some of our pages are in need of sponsorship. If you would like to advertise here please email our webmaster to discuss rates and availability. Your contribution will be appreciated and will go to a good cause!
