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Where there is smoke: Tips in keeping July 4 fire free
By Zach Markovic, zmarkovic@starlocalnews.com
With Independence Day celebrations drawing near, Texas Forest Service officials are reminding residents to exercise caution outdoors and remember that just one spark can cause a devastating wildfire.
About 90 percent of wildfires in Texas are human-caused, which means they can be prevented. As residents enjoy building a campfire, shooting off celebratory fireworks in approved areas or cooking on the grill, they’re asked to take a few safety precautions to ensure their homes and families are protected.
Texas Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface and Prevention Coordinator Justice Jones said that while drought conditions have improved for much of the state, wildfire potential still exists – especially in areas where consecutive days of hot temperatures have dried out the vegetation.
There are several things you can do to help prevent wildfires:
Check for and obey burn bans and fireworks restrictions.
If outdoor burning is allowed, create a firebreak (down to bare dirt) around an outdoor fire before igniting the materials to be burned.
Keep water nearby just in case a fire starts. It doesn’t take much of a spark or burning ember to ignite dry, fine-textured fuels like grass and weeds.
Read and follow label instructions on how to properly discharge fireworks.
Only use fireworks with close adult supervision.
Use fireworks only in areas clear of dead, dry grass and weeds.
Avoid using fireworks, particularly aerial varieties, around buildings. Winds can carry hot fireworks onto roofs where leaves or other flammable debris may have accumulated.
Burn bans and fireworks restrictions are determined by county government. Texas Forest Service does not take a position on the use of fireworks nor does the agency determine, set or lift any restrictions on fireworks.
Many people panic or simply don’t adhere to the rules of the road for approaching emergency vehicles. The law is very specific; drivers must yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle, and failure to do so can cause serious accidents or delays in ambulances, fire engines and fire trucks arriving at the scene of an emergency. Firefighters are careful to avoid vehicle collisions by driving slowly when traveling against traffic, or coming to a complete stop at intersections. However, the cooperation of ALL vehicles on the roadway is essential.
There are some simple rules to follow when you’re on the road and encounter an emergency vehicle:
DO:
Stay calm.
Pull to the right and come to a complete stop.
If you’re traveling on a high-speed road or if there is no room to stop, slow down as much as possible.
If you are in the left lane, pull into the right lane as traffic in the lane to your right moves over.
If you cannot move to the right because of another vehicle or obstacle, just stop.
Your action will let the driver of the emergency vehicle know what you are doing and allow the driver to anticipate where to drive.
When an emergency vehicle approaches you from behind while you are stopped at an intersection, stay where you are unless you can pull to the right.
On a 4-lane highway or street without barrier, both sides of traffic should pull to the right.
Be careful when driving by or around a motor vehicle accident or any situation where emergency vehicles are parked and the firefighters are working.
Drivers should stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.
DON’T
Don’t panic.
Don’t play your radio so loudly that you are unable to hear sirens.
Don’t stop in the middle lane when there is room to pull to the right.
Don’t pull to the left in the center lane or left turn lane.
Don’t race ahead to make the green light or turn before the emergency vehilce gets there.
Don’t turn quickly to the left onto a street or driveway.
Don’t drive through a red light or stop sign when an emergency vehicle approaches from behind.
If the emergency vehicle is traveling on the opposite direction of a divided highway or street, you do not need to pull over.
Don’t disregard the presence of the emergency vehicle by continuing to drive.
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