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Learn to Burn Safe!

A Guide to Burning Grass, Brush and Garbage

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Presented by the Manitoba Association of Native Fire Fighters, Inc.

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Think before YOU strike…

ASK YOURSELF THESE VITAL QUESTIONS

Do I need a burning permit and can I comply with the conditions of that permit?

• Permits are required May 10 to October 20 each year if required in your community.

Check with your local fire department before you burn.

What are the weather conditions and what is the recent forecast?

Weather conditions recommended below :

• Winds 8 mph or less

• Temperature less than 35 º C

• No predicted thunderstorm activity

Do I have tools, shovels, and a supply of water or fire extinguisher handy?

Am I prepared to stay with the fire until it is out?

 

BURNING GRASS

 

Make a fire line before you start. Check the weather forecast. Have enough people, water, and make hand tools available.

When burning fields, ditch banks or fence lines, it is always safest to ignite against the wind.

Always be sure to check the wind. If it is to strong and gusting you should keep from igniting a fire.

How long is the grass? Is the length going to cause the fire to become too big for me to handle?

• If the grass is too long, cut it and pile it so when you burn it, it will be confined to one area.

Does the grass lead up to the tree line?

• Be sure to cut the grass and remove any debris near the tree line.

• Observe, pay full attention so that you are alert and ready to extinguish the fire if it looks to be threatening.

• NEVER let the fire burn past the tree line and into the bush.

Which direction is the wind blowing the smoke?

• Is the smoke going to bother the neighbors?

• Is the smoke crossing the road or highway causing poor visibility for traffic?

• Always be sure to check which direction the wind is going to blow the smoke and flames. It may endanger the health of others and animals and could cause serious accidents. It may also be a bother for your neighbors.

Be prepared to stay with the fire until it is out! Most fires escape because they are left unattended and/or winds increase in speed or change direction.

 

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BURNING BRUSH

 

Build debris piles in openings away from structures, trees, overhead branches or power lines.

Clear litter and grass a minimum of 5-6 feet away from piles.

Keep piles small - approximately 4-5 feet in diameter and height. High, narrow piles burn better than low, wide ones.

Covered piles can be burned during periods of wet weather. It is safer. Remove cover before burning pile.

Keep piles free of dirt. Wet or dirt-covered materials burn poorly, causing the fire to smolder and give off more smoke.

Check with your local fire department before burning large piles containing trees because they burn hot and are difficult to control.

Be prepared to stay with the fire until it is out! Most fires escape because they are left unattended and/or winds increase in speed or change direction.

 

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BURNING GARBAGE AND BURNING BARRELS

Garbage should be taken to the nearest garbage dump and disposed of. Although, when burning garbage on occasion…small pieces should be burnt in a Burn Barrel.

Burn Barrels should be at least 10 feet from combustible materials such as long grass, brush piles, walls, fences, and roofs, etc. They should have a metal screen on top with openings no larger than one-half inches to prevent large sparks from escaping.

Small holes cut in the sides of the barrel near the bottom will create a draft that will cause the fire to burn hotter with less smoke.

Placing barrels on bricks or concrete blocks and cutting holes in the bottom allows rainwater to drain, which prolongs the life of the barrel.

Never leave any fire unattended!!!

 

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WHAT’S OKAY TO BURN? WHAT’S NOT OKAY TO BURN?

• Natural vegetation • Rubber

• Grass, Leaves, Needles • Large pieces of Plastic

• Garden Waste • Paint

• Shrub and Tree Trimmings • Fiberglass

• Agricultural Waste • Petroleum Products

• Stubble (Short stalks and stumps) • Vehicles or Materials • Logging/Thinning slash from Vehicles • Household Waste such as Paper or Cardboard • Treated Lumber or Timbers

(But ask: Is it recyclable?) • Railroad Ties

 

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FIRE

Anyone starting a fire is responsible for that fire until it is out! If your fire gets away, you can be held liable for any property damages, loss of life and or fire suppression costs. Punishable by law.

Call your local fire department before you strike the match to get all the facts and information you need to conduct your burn safely.

Failure to get a burning permit (If required) beforehand may result in an unnecessary response from your local fire department. And if your fire causes damage you can be held responsible.

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To learn more about safe burning practices, consult your local Fire department and REMEMBER, the steps you take before you strike make all the difference!

 

 

Using Fire Safely

Actually using fire is never completely safe and because of this, most communities have Laws regulating controlled burning. There are always hazards involved but perhaps with an understanding of what fire is and how it works, we can gain a better understanding of the precautions we can take to tilt the scales of safety in our favor.

 

Remember the Fire Triangle?

Knowing the Fire Triangle can help us to understand how to control a fire and make it a helpful tool. So how can we control a fire? Lets look at it this way;

Fire is sometimes called “a living breathing thing,” like ourselves we need blood (Heat), fresh air (Oxygen) and food (Fuel) in order for us to live. So, to have a fire or for a fire to exist these are the 3 things it must have; Heat, Oxygen and Fuel.

Heat is a measure of energy released through friction from molecular collisions within any substance. The more collisions, the more heat; the more heat, the more collisions.

Fuel is any substance which is capable of burning, and if hot enough any substance will burn. Nothing is fire proof.

Oxygen is the means by which a fire burns. It acts as the mechanism which drives combustion (burning).

Again, like humans if we don’t have blood, fresh air or food, we will die. Therefore…if one of these (heat, oxygen, fuel) is removed, the fire will cease to exist.

Remove Heat or Cool the fire

The most common method of doing this is by applying water to the fire or to any fuels around the fire. So whenever we burn, we should keep a charged garden hose handy or a few containers of water on hand at all times.

Remove Fuel

The best way to accomplish this is to clear an area at least 10 feet around the fire, of anything that may burn, for example; leaves, sticks, grass, etc. Do this before the fire is lit. Also keep a rake on hand to keep the burning embers in their place.

Remove Oxygen

An excellent way of doing this is to keep a shovel nearby to throw soil or sand onto the burning fuel to smother it.

So remember, Check with the local fire department to be sure there isn’t any bans on burning and check on conditions which may make your fire difficult to control.

* Never burn during dry and/or windy conditions

* Never assume that last night’s rain made it safe to burn. Often the wind will come up after it rains and this wind can dry things out very quickly; many people are surprised just how quickly.

* When finished with your fire, drown it with plenty of water and stir the embers, ashes, and dirt to make sure the fire is completely out. Check for heat with the back of your hand.

* Know that a wind gust can carry embers or sparks several yards to even a mile or more to another location igniting a wildfire without you even knowing it!