Thanks to abundant rainfall this past winter we have even more brush to be cleared. Thirty percent of California brush fires are started by improper use of brush clearing equipment. Do your part to keep the Santa Monica Mountains safe! Follow these tips to clear brush safely.
- NEVER use a weedwhacker, chainsaw, or lawn mower on a hot windy day and NEVER ON RED FLAG DAYS!
2. ALWAYS use a funnel when filling a gas tank and fill it on pavement. NEVER fill the tank in a grassy field.
3. NEVER put hot equipment down in vegetation.
4. ALWAYS keep a water hose and/or a FIRE EXTINGUISHER and SHOVEL close to the work area. Use the shovel to toss dirt over embers.
5. ALWAYS SCAN for smoke and other signs of fire. Stop work periodically and listen for the sound of a fire. Grass fires are difficult to see in the daytime when they are still small enough to extinguish easily. CHECK AGAIN 30-60 minutes after clearing.
6. ALWAYS keep a cell phone with you and immediately report smoke or fires to 911.
By Scott King