Equipment can cause wildfires

CAL FIRE (CDF) reports that the largest cause of wildfires in Mendocino County is outdoor equipment. Mowers, welders, chain saws, weedeaters, and splitters all have caused thousands of acres to burn.

• Do your clearing before 10:00 a.m., never in the heat of the day or when it’s windy!
• Always keep water and a shovel close by when using equipment outdoors.
• Never use a lawn mower on dry grass.
• Never drive a vehicle into tall dry grass.
• Install spark arresters on all equipment, including tractors, quads, and dirt bikes. -
• Maintain and clean your equipment to prevent a buildup of flammable materials. -
• Be sure trailer hitches are secure and chains don’t drag. Last summer one loose hitch caused eight fires south of Willits. -
• Always, always be aware of fire danger!

Fire safe growing practices

Gardening causes a third of the structure fires in our county. Most growers know their situation is hazardous but take no actions to prevent costly fires.

• In Navarro, a fire last winter destroyed an indoor garden and the adjacent home. Volunteer firefighters worked all night.
• On the coast, an overloaded circuit fire destroyed a drying shed and its contents.
• In Brooktrails, a fire started in haybales placed around a generator to muffle it.
  

To increase your fire safety:

• Have a licensed electrician do your wiring
• Regularly inspect all equipment that could produce dangerous heat or fire
• Put smoke detectors in every building
• Put two fire extinguishers at each exit
• Many fertilizers and chemicals produce explosive vapors and should not be inside.
  

Take these precautions, indoor or out:

• Fit all vehicles with spark arresters
• Keep flammables away from generators
• Keep a fire hose and high pressure water supply at all gardening locations