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Brush Fire Serves As A Reminder To Prepare Property

Highlands Today Staff

Published: February 17, 2008

Residents of Leisure Lakes had a frightening reminder this past week of what can happen with a brush fire.

Nearly 400 acres of land were burned, homes and other structures were threatened. People had to evacuate and resources were expended by several fire departments. Fortunately nobody was injured.

Although it was said to be an accident, the fire really never should have started. Apparently a resident was burning yard trash and red-hot material escaped.

We don't know if the individual will be cited by any agency, but he or she probably should be. This is a serious matter, and everyone needs to realize that.

Fire officials urge residents, especially those in rural areas, to prepare their homes and property. Among the things they suggest:

Clearing at least 30 feet of space around a home by removing dead leaves and needles and pruning shrubs and tree branches.
Prune large trees so that the lowest branches are at least 6 to 10 feet high to prevent a fire on the ground from spreading.
Driveways should be at least 12 feet wide and have a vertical clearance of 15 feet to provide access for emergency vehicles.
Attachments connected to a home such as decks, fences or porches should be fire-resistant.

In October of last year wildfires in California proved to be deadly and destructive. According to Wikipedia, at least 1,500 homes were destroyed and more than 500,000 acres of land burned. Nine people died as a direct result of the fires. A 10-year-old boy who had been playing with matches admitted to start one of the fires.

There are still a little more than three months remaining in the brush fire season. Don't forget that this is the dry time of year and traditionally the driest months are still to come.

Although some rain fell in the area last week – any of which is appreciated at this time of year – it was not a significant amount.

We hope that residents take the suggestions seriously and – if they haven't already – take the time to be prepared so there will not be a repeat of last week's incident.

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