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Use caution when burning leaves

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine

has advised Georgians to use caution when clearing and burning

leaves in the upcoming weeks.

Many outdoor fires occur when people burn leaves and forget

to take the necessary precautions. Also, failure to clear dry

vegetation can pose a fire hazard as well.

"This fall was unusually dry in Georgia," Oxendine said,

"creating conditions that are perfect for wildfires. I'm urging people to

be especially careful with outdoor burning to avoid setting off

a brush fire."

Oxendine offered the following tips when burning leaves:

1). Check with your local fire department or other

authorities before burning leaves in your yard. Some jurisdictions

require a burn permit.

2). Consider the weather. Don't burn leaves on a

windy day or when conditions are extremely dry. Also consider

prolonged weather conditions, such as a drought, when

deciding whether to burn leaves.

3). Clear leaves, weeds, brush and other vegetation at least

30 feet from your home; never pile leaves close to the home. If

you bag your leaves, store bags away from your home.

4). Do not discard cigarettes near leaves and other dry

vegetation.

5). Keep a water hose nearby to put out any stray flames

or sparks.

There were 5,697 reported brush and grass fires in

Georgia in 1997. Uncontrolled backyard fires can spread rapidly,

polluting the air, often starting forest fires.

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