Controlled Burn Experts Taking Extra Precautions
Controlled burns are a widely used tactic across the plains, but extreme caution needs to be exercised while conducting one of these burns.
Dan Henrichs, superintendent of the Rocky Ford High Line Canal Company, said the conditions across the plains are similar to that of a ?tinderbox.?
?We?ve had fires jump out 300 or 400 yards from where we?re actually burning because a hot ash will float up and drop back down,? said Henrichs.
He told KRDO Newschannel 13 that he and his team make sure they are being safe before they venture out to conduct burns.
?This morning, I started about 3:30 planning on what we were going to do, how we were going to do it. Checking the weather forecast, what the winds were going to be, calling into the Rocky Ford Fire Department and Pueblo Fire Department to make sure there are no high wind warnings or red flag warnings,? said Henrichs.
Henrichs said it is best to have a light breeze when burning, as this provides a means of ?carrying the flame,? which according to Henrichs produces a better burn.
?The most horrific thing is variable breezes, when they switch, because you?re prepared for everything blowing in one direction and a gust comes the other way and it can catch you off-guard,? said Henrichs.
Henrichs said he ensures his team has plenty of water, and has four water trucks that are capable of carrying up to 25,000 gallons of water to their job sites.
?Sometimes we actually have more water capacity that we carry with us than some of the local fire departments have,? said Henrichs.
Henrichs also said they take extreme care to put out any hot spots, and continue to monitor burn areas well after they are put out.
The Pueblo County Sheriff?s Office advices people to be extremely cautious burning this year, and have provided the following tips on safety:
– Check with the fire department in your neighborhood to find out if you need a permit to burn on your property.
– Call the Pueblo County Burn Line for information on fire conditions and ask if burns are permitted. Leave your address and phone number so the dispatcher knows that you are monitoring the fire at your address, then call when the fire is out 719 -583- BURN (2876).
– Keep a hose or extinguisher nearby, along with a phone, so if your fire gets away from you, you can put it out or call for help.
– Keep your flames away from things you don’t intend to burn, i.e., fences, house, outbuildings, other dry vegetation that isn’t meant to catch fire.
– Always monitor your fire. Don’t leave it unattended as it can become unmanageable quickly.
– In Pueblo County, controlled burns have to be extinguished by dark.
– Watch the weather. If the wind kicks up, put the fire out for the day and use lots of water to do it. Hot embers can get picked up by the wind long after you thought the fire was extinguished.
