Community: FIRE OFFICIALS URGE CAUTION WHEN DOING PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES THAT COULD SPARK WILDFIRES
Folsom – Fire officials urge residents and property owners alike to be cautious when using mechanical equipment such as weed eaters, lawn mowers, welding tools and chain saws within vacant lots, greenbelts and other areas that are located within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) in Folsom. These actions are recommended due to the low rainfall amounts in the Folsom area during the Winter-Spring months, along with quickly drying annual grasses and other vegetation that can be prone to ignition and cause a catastrophic wildfire in your neighborhood.
The City of Folsom Fire Department offers the following tips to prevent fires from property maintenance equipment:
Perform yard maintenance with power equipment before 10 a.m., not during the heat of the day or when the wind is blowing. The best time to mow in the City is before 9 a.m. when the humidity is highest.
Never use lawn mowers on dry grass or brush.
Be sure your portable gas-powered equipment has a spark arrester.
Never refuel while equipment is still hot from use.
Don’t drive or park in grassy areas.
Always have a portable fire extinguisher nearby in case a fire does start.
As a reminder open burning in the City is prohibited due to the high fire danger present throughout all WUI areas of the City.
The City of Folsom also urges property owners to maintain a 100-foot defensible space around homes and other buildings. In addition, fire officials urge property owners to take the following actions to improve steps to reduce the risk from wildfires:
Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds from within 30 feet of your home.
Trim trees 6 feet from the ground.
Remove all leaves, pine needles and debris from roofs
Create an Evacuation Plan in case of a wildfire
Fire officials also recommend that residents and property owners alike prepare themselves and their properties from the risk of wildfire by visiting the READY-SET-GO program at wildlandfiresrsg.org website. This website helps residents to prepare by offering helpful tips on how to prepare for the fire threat, maintain situational awareness when a fire starts and to act early before a fire threatens your neighborhood.
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