Consider composting or mulching. Leaves can be composted to produce organically rich soil amendments for gardens and flower beds. Branches and larger brush can be chipped and the resultant mulch used in flower beds to help hold moisture in the soil. Check for community recycling or chipping projects before opting to burn these materials.

Keep water and equipment handy. Have an available supply of water and hand tools such as rakes and shovels nearby in case your fire should get away. Mechanized equipment may be necessary to contain fires arising from brush pile burning, as embers may be blown farther from the fire and have more time to grow into an

uncontrollable wildfire before you can get to the spot fire. Stay with the fire until it is out cold.

If you must burn household trash, don't pile it

on the ground. It will not bum completely and will

be easily blown around, increasing the danger

of spreading.

Burn trash in a covered receptacle in a cleared

area well away from overhead branches and

wires. The metal grid or wire cover will help contain

burning trash, and the cleared firebreak around the

receptacle will further minimize the chances of a

burning ember igniting a wildfire.

Avoid accumulating trash for several days in

the bum receptacle and then igniting. Compacted

trash will bum longer and less completely, thereby

generating more air pollution and requiring more

watching.

Expanded metal screen with

holes not larger than 5/8 inch

3 evenly-spaced 3-inch square vents, backed by metal screen

Establish wide firebreaks around piles of

leaves and brush to be burned. Firebreaks should be

free of vegetation and wide enough to contain burning

embers that may fall or roll from the pile. The larger

the pile to be burned, the wider the firebreak should

be with firebreak widths normally ranging from 10-30

feet on small to medium size piles.

Metal barrel in

good condition

Ground cleared down to mineral soil or gravel

at least 10 feet on each side of incinerator

Avoid burning trash containing aerosol cans.

Heated cans will

explode, and flying

metal could cause an

injury. The explosion

may also scatter

burning trash and

cause a wildfire.

Keep debris piles small, gradually adding to the

fires as they bum down. Adding fuel gradually will

keep fire intensity lower and lessen the chances that

material will roll or be lofted over firebreaks into

flammable vegetation. Large piles of burning debris

generate intense heat capable of carrying relatively

heavy burning embers up and away from the fire,

perhaps far from the original fire.

Stay with your fire.

Trash fires are more likely to escape containment and become wildfires if you aren't present to take action.

Select burn locations away from

overhanging branches and utility lines. Intense

heat rising from a fire could ignite leaves and

branches of trees or damage overhead lines and

disrupt essential utility services.

Stay informed about possible weather changes.

Gusty winds and changes in wind direction often

accompany the passage of weather fronts. Thunder-

storms may also generate strong gusts and

downdrafts. Outdoor burning should be postponed

when gusty winds are present or expected to occur

during the time that burning