Bush Fire Safety & Prevention Tips

Bush fires can be hazardous, being one of the most common causes of fire outbreaks globally. Bush fires come in different forms, which are grass fire, forest fire, and scrub fire. Whatever form it takes, bush fires can be fatal, leading to the loss of lives and properties. This is why it is important to practice safety and prevention tips. This article discusses the best safety and prevention tips to follow to avoid bush fires.

 

What Causes Bush Fires?

Bush fires can occur naturally or be caused by human action. Lightning strikes can be a natural cause of bush fires. A cigarette butt that is not blown can also result in a bush fire. It should be noted that the weather condition plays a significant role in the outbreak of bush fires. While bush fires can break out at any time of the year, it is more likely to occur in dry weather. Certain factors influence the break-out of bush fires in dry weather. Some of them are:

 

- Low humidity

- High temperatures

- Dry vegetation

- Lack of rain.

Best Safety and Prevention Tips

• Maintain The Vegetation: During the hot and dry season, it is crucial to modify your vegetation and keep it low. Having long grass on your property comes with significant risk, as it adds to the spreading of fire. Make sure to trim the shrubs around your house, taking care of both the front and the back. Doing this will not take more than a few hours, but it will save you and your family from dealing with the risk of bush fires.

 

• Break Ladders: Ladders here do not refer to the household item we use to fix bulbs and other things around the home. A ladder when it comes to vegetation discourse refers to any vegetation that is high enough to allow a fire climb. Ladders could be dead vegetation or even ones that are still alive. Take your time to cut branches that measure more than two meters. Also, remove branches that hang over buildings, as they act as ladders in the case of a fire outbreak.

 

• Remove The Fine Fuels: Fine fuels refer to vegetation that is less than 6mm in diameter. They might take the form of leaf litter, shrubs, grass, or even fallen bark. These vegetation are referred to as fine fuels, as they provide a bush fire with material to keep burning. It is essential to remove fine fuels from around the house and dispose of them properly.

 

• Clean Gutters: Shrubs, grass, leaf litter, and fallen tree barks usually fall into gutters. As such, you must clean your gutters always, particularly during the dry seasons. Also, be sure to avoid clutter around the home. Store items like toys and furniture properly. You can also put in place efficient household equipment like bush fire shutters. This keeps smoke from entering the home in the case of a fire outbreak.