We certainly know how blessed our community is by the efforts of our firefighters and first responders, particularly in emergency events such as wildfire. Thanks to the fast response from the Grass Valley air attack base and all of our community and regional firefighters, the majority of recent wildfires in our area have been quickly handled and kept small in size.
Their amazing efforts deserve the gratitude and respect of all who live here, so let’s be sure to help them out by being proactive with our efforts to prevent wildfire.
What this means for you is understanding how, as Cal Fire suggests, to do the right thing the right way, particularly with fire safe ways of using equipment. Whether you’re a newcomer to the area or have lived here for ages, these Cal Fire suggestions can go a long way of helping keep us all safe.
During fire season, we see all too often that accidental fires can be caused by innocent — though dangerous — practices. See this informational advice from Cal Fire on when to mow, the right equipment to mow with and reminder not to park or drive on dry grass. This is especially good information for people new to the area, new to owning acreage or in general, just being smarter about living in nature during the summer in California.
“Each year CAL FIRE responds to more than 1,600 fires started by Californians using equip- ment the wrong way,” the agency reports. “Whether working to create a defensible space around your home, just mowing the lawn, or pulling your dirt bike over to the side of the road, if you live in a wildland area you need to use all equipment responsibly. Lawn mowers, weedeaters, chain saws, grinders, welders, tractors, and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire. Do your part, the right way, to keep your community fire safe.”
Visit the Fires Safe Council of Nevada County at www.areyoufiresafe.com for more information on making your home and property fire safe, in the safest way possible.
For more information on Cal Fire, visit www.fire.ca.gov.
