The BLM: Be Aware of Increased Chance of Wildfire

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District would like to remind the community to be aware of the increased chance of wildfire due to record low precipitation and windy conditions. “Wildfires can happen year round,” said BLM Fire Management Officer Shane McDonald.” The Washoe Drive Fire, which destroyed homes and forced evacuations, started in January.” McDonald encourages the public to be careful in regards to human-caused fires and take appropriate steps to prevent them. In situations such as the anticipated high wind days, the BLM and other firefighting agencies rely heavily upon the public to make sensible decisions in regards to fire on public and private land. Safety tips when disposing of ashes from a fireplace or wood stove:

• Dispose of wood ashes in a metal container that can be tightly closed, douse with water, place the closed container outside your home away from combustible materials and leave in the container for several days before disposing of them.

• Teach other family members about the dangers associated with hot ash disposal.
• Be careful with ashes around areas you might not consider as combustible during wetter times such as mulched flowerbeds and lawns that are drought stricken.
• Do Not place hot ashes in a dumpster where there are certainly other combustible materials.
• Do Not dispose of ashes in a paper, plastic or cardboard containers.
• Do Not assume the ashes are cold and pour them onto the ground (even into a hole) where leaves can blow onto them or the wind can stir up sparks.

For more information contact Lisa Ross at 775-885-6107.

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