Never mind the calendar; Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and with it comes our favorite summer things ... many of which involve fire, sparks, and heat. Campfires, fireworks, and a spin in an off-road vehicle: We love these as much as anyone, but safety has to come first. Did you know that human beings are responsible for starting nine out of 10 wildfires? The truth is that it's rarely on purpose, but as the recent Pacific Palisades fires proved, the destruction is the same regardless of intent.
Today, we have some common-sense rules to help keep you and the environment safe from wildfires. They come courtesy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, but apply equally to everyone who's planning to light it up this summer.
- Build your campfire in a metal ring or pit. Never leave a fire unattended, even for a moment. When you're done, thoroughly douse the fire with water, stir, and douse again.
- When using fireworks, keep a hose handy and make sure to soak used sparklers in water before discarding them. Never shoot fireworks into dry grass, brush, or trees.
- When barbecuing, never leave the grill unattended, and keep a water source nearby.
- Taking a trailer on your adventure? Ensure tow chains don't drag and cause sparks, which can light a fire along the road’s edge.
- Avoid using heavy machinery like lawnmowers in dry areas. Don’t park an ORV or other vehicle on dry grass, as a hot exhaust system can ignite the grass.
- Before burning yard debris, see if burn permits are being issued or if weather conditions allow for safe burning. Your local state's department of natural resources should have a number you can call.
- If you do burn, keep your debris piles small. A large pile can burn for hours.
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