Spring is a popular time for yard cleanup, and as the temperature outside increases and the ground dries more, Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane says you should make sure the area around the house is free of debris.
“Make sure you’re pulling limbs, leaves, all that stuff that’s gathered up through the winter months, pull that away from your house, especially if you’re out in a rural area, or you have a lot of trees and things like that around your home,” Crane said “So if it does get dry and there is a lot of, there is a danger of a wildfire or anything that you’ve got that stuff away from your house.”
Crane says check with your local municipalities on collecting limbs or other yard waste. If you plan to burn anything, make sure you check to make sure you are in the clear.
“If you’re deciding to do a controlled burn, make sure you check with your local ordinances,” Crane said. “Check what’s allowed, and make sure you’re checking to make sure that there is no statewide or local prohibition on burning at that time.”
When you head outside to burn, make sure you are only burning approved materials, and you are a safe distance from the house, trees, or other structures.
“Definitely watch the wind conditions,” Crane said. “If you check the weather and it looks like it’s gonna be a breezy or gusty day, hold off and don’t burn. When you are burning though, make sure that you are constantly attending the fire and make sure you have something to put it out, whether it be a small tractor with a bucket or make sure that you’ve got a hose close by, something like that to help put it out.”
More fire safety tips can be found on the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
