Fire department seeing increase in field fires

Published:  Tuesday, November 17, 2009 (2 months, 3 weeks ago)
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DELPHOS — During the past several weeks, Delphos Fire and Rescue has battled more than a half-dozen field fires in rural Delphos.
Delphos Fire Prevention Officer Kevin Streets said residents often forget about open-burning rules this time of year.
“For burning in the country, EPA guidelines dictate several things: only clean seasoned firewood is to be used and it can be no larger than 5 feet in diameter and 5 feet in height,” Streets said. “Also, the fires are to burn no more than three hours and they are not for waste disposal.”
However, Streets feels the field fires are more a lack of attentiveness.
“In many cases, we’ll talk to the resident and they will have lit the fire and then gone on to do something else. The fire gets out of control and then we have acres and acres of burnt land,” Streets said. “If you are going to light a fire, you need to stay with that fire and make sure it burns only what is intended. That goes for in-town burning, also.”
Wind is also another factor to consider when burning.
“You shouldn’t burn on windy days,” Streets said. “The wind can change direction and strength with little notice.”
Ordinances for burning inside city limits include:
• Fires must be in an approve fire ring three feet in diameter and 2 feet in height;
• In-town fires are for cooking purposes only — they are not for burning waste;
• Only clean, seasoned firewood can be used;
• Leaves or green vegetation cannot be burned; and
• If neighbors complain, a fire must be put out.
“We all love to have small fires this time of year but we need to practice safety,” Streets said. “Never leave a fire unattended.”

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