Community Slash Disposal
The Fire Department maintains a slash/burn site off Senator Highway for the community.  A key to the slash pile may be obtained at Station 1 between 8:30 and 5:00 daily.  Please note that this site is for forest products only--duff, pine needles, tree branches, and brush.  No construction materials, tree trunks, or trash should be dumped here.  This service is provided by the department to help you keep your property clear.
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Winter Residential Fires

When people think of the winter season and fire together, they do not seem to grasp the point that, even though it is cold outside, the potential for a fire mishap could be lurking in the very next room. Winter residential fires occur from many sources of everyday home appliances, be they space heaters, fireplaces, or even cooking appliances.

            Winter residential fires are defined as residential building fires that occur in the months of January through March. These fires result in an estimated average of 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries and $1.7 billion in property loss each year. Residential building fires are broken down into two categories, confined fires and non-confined fires. Confined fires are confined to a specific type of equipment or object.

            Approximately half of winter residential building fires are small, confined fires. The golden hours for these winter wonderland mishaps are between 5-8 pm, just about the time people are arriving home from work and preparing dinner. The leading cause of these fires, be they confined or non-confined, is cooking mishaps and electrical malfunctions. Studies have shown that cooking and heating appliances are the top two causes of confined winter residential fires, obtaining a shocking 97% of the totals for these types of fires. The kitchen and other cooking areas are the most infamous areas of fire origin for non-confined fires. 22% of all winter residential fires and 43% of all non-confined winter residential fires have been known to extend past the area/room of fire origin.

            To help you become better aware of ways to protect yourself, loved ones, and your property, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind to prevent this disaster from happening to you. When cooking, never leave food and appliances unattended. You should always wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook or are around open flames. Be sure to keep towels, potholders, and curtains away from flames. Under no circumstances should you ever use your range or oven as a method to heat your home. Remember to never throw water onto a grease fire; COVER IT and SMOTHER IT.

            When dealing with a mechanical heat source, be sure to place space heaters at least three feet away from combustible materials, and be sure to only use the type of fuel designated for that appliance. Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs. Make sure outlets have cover plates with no exposed wiring. Make sure the wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, and/or across high traffic areas. And remember never to overload extension cords or outlets. For more information on winter fire prevention and safety, please visit the US Fire Administration (pdf).

Urban Wildland Year Round Home Safety Checklist

1.     Have your address posted somewhere easy to see.

-         An easy to read address makes it easier for us to respond in a timely fashion. 

2.     Have a working smoke alarm installed in your home.                  

-         Get one! Check it! Change it! Smoke alarms save lives!  
          

3.     Inspect all electrical outlets to ensure they are not overloaded.

-         Electrical malfunctions are one of the leading causes of fire in the home.
   

4.     Try not to multi-task while cooking meals.

-         Kitchen fires are the number one cause of fire in the home.

5.     Create and practiced a home escape plan with your family.

-         This way everyone knows what to do and where to meet in case of a fire or other emergency.

6.     Have a list of emergency numbers posted in your home.

-         Everyone including children should know where these numbers are. 
 

7.     Protect young children and yourself from water sources.

-         It only takes 1 to 2 inches of water for a child or infant to drown.

-         In addition to protecting your children removing water sources from around your home reduces mosquito breeding in the summer time.                                                                                                                             

8.     Have fire extinguishers readily available in your home.

-         Keep one in the kitchen, one near the wood stove or fireplace and one on every floor of your home.

-         Replace or service them as necessary.

9.  Be prepared for power outages and be prepared to be stuck in your home.

-         Have flashlights, spare batteries, spare food and drinking water all the time.

-         Consider investing in solar powered flashlights and radios.

10.  Be ready to evacuate.

-         Fire will always be a threat when living in an urban wildland setting.

11. Create and maintain defensible space around your home.

       - Without it your home has less of a chance to survive a wildfire.

Motorcycle and Offroad Vehicle Fire Safety Tips

-         Make sure your vehicle has an approved spark arrester and that the arrester and muffler system work properly.

-         Avoid riding or stopping in tall grass. Fine fuels may smolder and ignite upon contact with a hot muffler.

-         Ride only on designated trails and roads.

-         Check rules for off highway travel in your area. Laws may vary from county to county and state to state.

-         Always check to see if there are any fire restrictions in the area you will be riding.