How To Protect Your Home and Property From Bush Fires
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Protect Your Home and Property

              From Bush Fires

A fire set outdoors can strike home if you have not taken the necessary steps to protect yourself your house and property. The actions and precautions listed below are designed to help you prepare your home and lessen the threat of damage from fires set outdoors to you and your property     

 

 

Conducting Outdoor fires

 

  • To conduct an open or out door fire, you must obtain a fire permit from the Fire Service.
  • Outdoor fires range from camp fires, burning dry vegetation, and household trash, garden spots land cleared for construction and ordinary combustibles.
  • To obtain a permit to burn, visit the Fire Station closest to your area
  • The permit may not be granted particularly in the dry season if hazardous conditions exist, if there are water shortages or if there are insufficient provisions to safeguard against the spread of fire.
  • An inspection will be carried out by an officer from the Fire Service to ensure that all safety procedures and guidelines are adhered to.
  • The fire should be at least 20 – 30 feet from any building structure or property.
  • Burning must be done in small heaps with the perimeter clear of other burning materials to prevent fire spread.
  • A supply of water must be readily available in case of fire spread.
  • Burning should never be done in windy conditions
  • Never burn cans containing or emptied of aerosol sprays. They may explode.
  • Never leave a fire un-attended. Remain with the fire until it is completely burnt out and if you need to leave before it is fully burnt out, extinguish with water.
  • If the fire appears to be getting out of control, do not hesitate, call 911 immediately.

 

  

Setting Safe Camp Fires

  • Dig a pit away from overhanging branches
  • Circle the pit with rocks
  • Clear a 10 foot area around the pit down to the soil, removing anything that could catch on fire
  • Stack extra wood upwind and away from the fire
  • After lighting, do not discard the match until cold. Discard into the fire.
  • Never leave a campfire unattended; an adult should supervise the campfire at all times
  • Keep a bucket of water and shovel nearby
  • Never put anything but wood into the fire
  • Do not pull sticks out of the fire
  • Do not sit on the fire ring or rocks around the campfire. They will heat up quickly and they'll stay hot for a long time
  • When it's time to put the fire out, dump lots of water on it, stir it with a shovel, then dump more water on it. Make sure it is COLD before leaving the campsite. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave!

Camp fires may be disallowed in conditions which in the opinion of the Fire Service are unsuitable for outdoor burning.

 

A few things you should be aware of during the   

dry, warm periods...

·         The extreme northern and southern portions of the island along with coastal areas appear to be most affected by the dry season annually. If you live in these parts, burning may be prohibited in your area.

·         If burning is approved, clear large areas on the ground of any combustible material, such as grass, leaves, and scrap wood, burn only what you want to burn.

·         In conditions approved by the Fire Service, burn trash in a metal barrel or other fire-safe receptacle covered with a wire mesh or gird that will help contain burning debris. Ensure that there are no combustible materials in close proximity to the drum.

·         Do not leave your burn pile unattended and have a garden hose or buckets of water on standby to deal with fire spread should it occur.

·         Stay with your fire until it is out.

Deliberate and indiscriminate setting of fire is an irresponsible act which can result in great loss of life and property. It is also a criminal offence punishable by law.


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