Fire Safety Expert Urges Caution at Start of Drier Fire Season

Newswise — Dry conditions and lower-than-average rainfall mean West Virginia’s fall fire season could be a dangerous one without the public’s help, according to a West Virginia University fire safety expert. 

Beginning today (Oct. 1) and continuing through Dec. 31, Mark Lambert, director of the WVU Extension Fire Service, said state residents will be required to limit outdoor burning to between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. 

Lambert is the state fire training director for the WVU State Fire Training Academy and an associate professor with WVU Extension Fire Service.

Quotes:  

“We’re going into the season several inches down in water for the water table, and it’s been particularly windy and dry. It’s going to make ripe conditions for an active forest fire season, but there are obviously things the public can do to help mitigate that. 

“Make sure you don’t burn outdoors when they tell you not to burn outdoors. If you absolutely have to burn natural growth — which is all you’re supposed to burn anyways — make sure you are there with it the whole time and that you have an adequate water supply to drown it at the end. 

“A lot of people like to burn leaves in their backyard, but if those get out of control, you’re responsible for all the damage done, no matter how far the fire goes or however many people end up having to work on it. 

“As I try to always say, the professionals at the state Division of Forestry have a tough enough job the way it is. We don’t need to add to their burden by being careless and causing unnecessary fires. 

“For indoor fire prevention in general as we move into the fall, people need to check their smoke detectors and make sure they’re working and the batteries are good.  

“There’s a label inside most smoke detectors that tells you when it was manufactured. If your smoke detector is more than 10 years old, you need to replace that smoke detector.” – Mark Lambert, director, WVU Extension Fire Service