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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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