I drove past the ranger station there at Pond’s Lodge yesterday and noticed the fire danger sign listed the fire danger as extreme. I don’t know whether someone changed the sign as a prank, or whether it’s really extreme, but we should all be cautious.
Usually, the fire danger goes up when we have a dry spell and all the grass and dead plant material on the forest floor dries out. But this year we have had nothing but rain since May. It’s rained at least a little bit three or four times a week all summer, so it’s hard to understand why the fire danger might be at a critical level (it also makes it hard to imagine what it’s going to be when all that stuff does dry out!)
At any rate, the forest service has indicated that there is extreme fire danger so please plan on taking the appropriate measures to ensure your fires don’t get away from you. Here are eight ways you can be “fire-safe:”
1. Use only approved fire rings for fires
2. Clean the area around the fire ring of anything flammable (grass, pine needles, etc.) for at least 10 feet back.
3. Build smaller fires (big fires tend to throw off more sparks, etc.)
4. Maintain your wood supply well away from the fire.
5. Avoid using gasoline, etc. to start your fire.
6. Have water or a fire extinguisher nearby — fires can spread very rapidly.
7. Make sure your fire is dead out (well watered) before going to bed.
8. Never, ever leave your fire unattended
The forest is here for all of us to enjoy. We love to have people come and enjoy it with us. But it’s safe to say we all enjoy it more when it’s not charred by fire, so please have fun and be fire-safe.
