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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 18, 2017)
vernonia rural fire protection district may18 2017 15 Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Get Prepared for Fire Season It’s that time of year again. The rains are getting ready to stop, the temperatures are rising, and we’re even enjoying the nice weather a bit and all that it brings to Vernonia. While you’re enjoying the weather and starting your gardening season, stop and take a look at your property. Is it ready for the fire season that is just around the corner? This is the time of year when we all need to take the necessary precautions to protect our properties from the fire dangers that are hidden behind all of the natural beauty. Some of the things that you need to focus on are getting your gutters cleaned out, yard debris cleaned up, bushes, trees, and shrubs trimmed, and cleaning up anything else on your property that can be easily ignited by a fire source. These are the hidden dangers that a wandering ember is longing to find. A burning ember can travel up to one mile under the right conditions. It’s just looking for fuel to land on. Now, I’m not suggesting that a burning ember has a mind of its own, but the only thing keeping it from burning out is fuel! By “fuel,” I’m talking about any dry material, natural or manmade, flammable liquids, and tall dried out grass and leaves that can easily be ignited by a wandering ember. The Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal are both encouraging home owners and renters to take the time to clean up your property to remove the abundant fuel sources that are surrounding your home. Those gutters that have been packed full of leaves and fir needles all winter long, will dry out and become an excellent fuel source for a burning ember. That green moss on your roof will also dry out and become another excellent fuel source. If you have un-mowed fields of grass around your property, this will spread a burning fire faster than you can run when there is a little wind behind those flames. Try to get as much of it mowed as you can before things dry out and turn brown during the months that are just ahead of us. If you have a valid burn permit, issued by VRFPD, take advantage of this period of time when burning of yard and garden trimmings are allowed. If you need a burn permit, contact Karin Goodman in the office by calling (503)-429-8252. Karin will explain how you can obtain a burn permit. Here are a few “Burn Pile Tips” to help wildfire prevention. Consider chipping or recycling your yard debris. If burning is the only option, it is less likely to escape Calls responded to April 1-30 Fire Emergency Medical Service Hazardous Condition Service Call Good Intent Severe Weather & Natural Disaster Special Incident No Emergency Found False Alarm Total 0 30 2 10 1 1 0 0 0 44 CAN YOU FILL THESE BOOTS? VOLUNTEERS WANTED Call Dean Smith for more information on free training (503)429-8252 control by following some simple safety tips. • Call before you burn – Those of you who live in the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District can call (503) 429-8252 BEFORE YOU BURN to find out if burning is allowed on any given day. After hours, you will receive a recorded message. Burning regulations are not the same in all areas and can vary with the weather and fuel conditions. Check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry district, your fire protection association, or local air authority to learn if there are any current burning restrictions or regulations, and whether a permit is required. Note: Permits are required in VRFPD jurisdiction. • Know the weather forecast - Never burn on dry or windy days. • Clear a 10-foot radius around your burn pile - Make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above. • Keep your burn pile small - Small piles, 4x4 feet in dimension, are recommended. Add debris in small amounts as existing material is consumed. • Always have water and fire tools on site - When burning, have a charged water hose, bucket of water, a shovel, and dirt nearby to extinguish the fire. Drown the pile with water, stir the coals, and drown again, repeating until the fire is DEAD out. • Stay with the fire until it is completely out. Monitoring a debris burn continually from start to finish until dead out is required by state law. Go back and recheck old burn piles, as they can retain heat for several weeks and rekindle when the weather warms and winds blow. • Never use gasoline or other accelerants to start or increase your open fire. Every year approximately 60 percent of all burns treated at the Oregon Burn Center are the result of backyard debris burning. • Burn ONLY yard debris - State regulations prohibit the open burning of any material that creates dense smoke or noxious odors. Pick up your Burn Permit at the station along with a list of rules and regulations at 555 E. Bridge St. Vernonia, OR 97064. Cost: $5.00 Escaped debris burns are the leading human-caused fire issue in Or- egon, particularly in the spring and fall. For more tips on wildfire prevention, visit the Keep Oregon Green, www. keeporegongreen.org/. Tips provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
