Help Prevent Wildfires
According to the Texas Forest Service, in the past seven days, almost 180 wildfires have been reported across Texas. Although the hot and dry conditions across the state have contributed to this, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) and the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office ask residents to help prevent additional fires.
Motorists, who smoke, for example, can help by not tossing cigarette butts from their vehicles. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, about 130 million cigarette butts are tossed out on the highways every year. Discarded cigarette butts can cause fires.
Keep cigarette butts in the car, extinguish and put in ashtrays. If smoking outdoors, carry and use a pocket or portable ashtray. Never put cigarettes out on the ground.
Other safety measures include:
- Be careful when pulling off a road or driving into a field. Hot catalytic converters can ignite vegetation.
- Avoid burning trash. Even a barrel covered with a screen can allow a spark to escape, igniting nearby vegetation.
- Do not use fireworks.
- Keep a fire extinguisher and water handy when working outdoors with equipment that gets hot, or involves sparks, such as welding equipment. Water down outdoor work areas in advance if possible.
For more information on fire danger and advisories click on the following links:
Regional Joint Information Center
Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office
printer friendly