[ back ]
Dry weather spell has firefighters on high alert
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - June 27, 2012)
Dry weather spell has firefighters on high alert
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Area fire officials are urging Geauga County residents to take care as dry weather conditions continue.
The lack of rain makes conditions ripe for sparking fires in fields and brushy areas, officials said.
"Conditions aren't suitable for burning," Burton Fire Chief Michael Sestak said. "It's too dry and windy to be burning."
Chardon Fire Chief Larry Gaspar said conditions are so ripe for open fires getting out hand that he will be calling for a moratorium on the practice in Chardon and Claridon townships until rains bring relief.
Mr. Gaspar said most townships allow open burning, while municipalities tend to ban them altogether.
Individual fire departments also ask residents to obtain burning permits.
Mr. Sestak said the permits allow fire departments to track where and when fires are occurring. He said they also will check to determine whether the materials to be burned are not so large that they present a threat for spreading the fire.
In today's world with cell phones, he said, the fire department often gets calls from people passing by an open burn. Having the permit allows fire officials to determine quickly whether a response is needed, Mr. Sestak said.
While the typical residential fire is under the jurisdiction of local fire departments, those on agricultural properties must obtain their permits through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Sestak said.
Mr. Gaspar said, in addition to notifying fire departments of the intent to burn, calling the sheriff's department is recommended.
A person who starts a fire which spreads to neighboring properties can be held liable for damages, Mr. Sestak said.
Open burning is not the only threat during dry weather, he said. "Right now, it comes down to not flicking a cigarette out of your vehicle window." A careless action like that can spark as large a fire as any brought on by an open burn, he said.
Mr. Sestak said he has seen flames as high as 100 feet associated with fires that have spread across fields. The fire department already has responded to two brush fires in Parkman and Troy townships.
Last weekend, he said, a caller reported a large fire in Claridon Township, where someone attempted to burn too large a pile and had not sought a permit beforehand.
Mr. Gaspar said his department has been fortunate so far, although it did handle one brush fire around the time of the Geauga County Maple Festival.
[ back ]
