With winter weather now coming to an end and warmer weather in the area, more and more people    are starting to open burn, but, did you know that warmer weather leads to dry vegetation that can result in brush fires that burn and spread rapidly. Here are a few tips to think about to help prevent a fire spreading to your home.

• Check to see if the surrounding area is clear of any person or animal and any combustible that could be ignited by spark or heat.
• Don’t burn if the weather has been dry or if it’s breezy or windy. This increases the risk of spot fires or fires created by heat transfer. All of which can lead to brush, forest or even structure fires.
• Avoid using accelerants to start fires. Their flash points are much lower and could lead to serious bodily injury or death. The catch is, accelerants often burn off prior to igniting the fuel load and fail to actually start the fire, leaving an individual harmed from the initial flash.
• If possible, us a 55 gallon drum or a fire ring, this decreases the likelihood of a brush fire.

• Clear any dead plants, trees, shrubs, or brush that is near your home
• Remove weeds and keep your grass cut
• If you have any leftover or new fire wood, try to keep it stacked away from your house.