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Show RAINBOW TIMES - AUGUST 1994 - 5 Fire Fighting Tips If a fire starts in Castle Valley, we can help the fire department to keep it from spreading. Before you go to a fire to help (not to sightsee), be prepared. 1. Wear cotton clothing; synthetics melt. 2. Wear long pants and a long- sleeved shirt. 3. Wear a hat—a hard hat if you have one. 4. Wear leather shoes or boots, other kinds melt. 5. Wear heavy gloves. 6. Bring shovels, hoes, rakes. 7. Bring lots of water to drink. When you arrive at the fire, report to the Incident Commander (in our case, usually Fire Chief Floyd Stoughton). This person will tell you where to go and what to do. For your property, remove the gas. Leave the gas cap off until you are sure there are no fumes left in the tank. Remove the battery and store elsewhere. Best of all, remove the old cars. 8. Store gasoline, oil, and other inflammable materials in a pen made of concrete block or in an earth berm. These will insulate containers from heat. 9. Use extreme caution operating power tools outside (they spark), burning trash (prohibited at present, see facing page and below), and barbecuing even in protected areas. 10. If you see smoke, call 911. Don’t assume someone else has or will. Keeping our land free of potential fire fuel, being conscious of fire prevention, joining the CV Volunteer Fire Department, and helping wisely when there is a fire puts us in a better position to prevent and control fires in Castle Valley. Be a good neighbor and join us in this effort. —Maria Loe safety, the fire department needs to Scale of Wind Speeds, Estimates know where you are. We can do many things on our properties to keep fires from starting and spreading. Here are some things you can do NOW to reduce the fuel on (First written in the early 19th Century by Admiral Beaufort 0f the British Navy, this scale has been modified and refined over the years.) ESTIMATED S I G N S 39:22? 5:55: M P H Calm. Smoke vertical. 0-1 Smoke drifts in wind. 1—3 Wind felt on face, leaves rustle. 4-7 Leaves & small twigs in constant motion, light flags extend. 8-12 Raises dust, leaves, and loose paper; small branches move. 13-18 Small trees in leaf begin to sway, wavelets form on inland waters. 19-24 your land: 1. Cut down cheat grass. Use a grass catcher or rake it up afterward. Make a large ring around your house and outbuildings. This is best done in the spring, but any time is a big help, especially NOW. 2. Track down and remove any papers, boxes, or trash that has blown onto your land. These burn, blow around, and start more fires. 3. Remove all wood piles and old lumber to an area away from any Large branches in motion, whistling heard in telephone wires. 25-31 Whole trees in motion, inconvenient to walk against wind. 32-38 Twigs & small branches break off trees, walking impeded. Slight structural damage, chimney pots & slate removed. Trees broken or uprooted, considerable general damage. building. 4. Plan a 20-30 foot firebreak Widespread damage. around your house. Plant grass and Hurricane force, widespread damage. green plants, make rock or brick paths and patios. Use fire resistant ground covers such as ice plant (drylands 39—46 47-54 55-63 64-72 73+ Thanks to KTVX Weather Department, Salt Lake City. type), euphorbia, or other succulents. Do not plant pines, pifions, or junipers near buildings, as they are high in pitch and explode during a fire. Cut off low branches on trees, to 5 foot minimum above ground. The bark is fire resistant, but low branches and debris collected at the tree base are highly flammable. 5. If you have a cistern, pond, or wading/swimming pool, keep it full during fire season. Call Maria Loe at 259-3839 so its location can be put on the fire map she is compiling. These are excellent sources of water and might partially refill a fire truck. 6. Compost your garden debris. You will not need to burn it or haul it to the dump, instead you will have good mulch for next year. even tumbleweeds compost well. 7. If you have any old cars on your Strict County Fire Rules Adopted Because of the continuing extreme local fire danger, the County Council, National Park Service, BLM, Forest Service, and Moab City Council joined on July 19th in restricting open fires and cigarette smoking outdoors throughout Grand County until further notice. It is now unlawful to build open fires in campgrounds, picnic areas, or homes anywhere in the county. In addition, no smoking is allowed except in enclosed vehicles or buildings, developed recreation sites, or while the smoker is standing in a cleared and barren area at least 3 feet in diameter. These rules are made necessary by present extreme fire dangers, and violation is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or 6 months’ imprisonment. Convicted parties will be liable for all costs of fire fighting and personal loss. —Cris Coffey A *h' g 0% if“ |