Garrison Fire Co. issues warning amidst additional debris from previous storms
“As we head back into warmer temperatures and the rains recede, brush fires may become a threat,” said Garrison Fire Co. official Michael Del Monte in an email to Philipstown.info. “The threat is a little worse than usual this year because storms like Irene and the Halloween blizzard knocked down a lot of trees, branches, and loose material that has already dried and become easily ignited fuel,” he continued.
Del Monte, whose company covers a wide of swath of town woodlands, offered a list of things homeowners can do to protect their families and structures and limit the spread of fires.
Ten + one tips to protect your home from brush fires
- Maintain a 30-foot buffer between your home and dense vegetation.
- Ensure fencing is in good condition.
- Remove dead or overhanging branches around your home.
- Keep tree limbs pruned 6 – 10 feet off the ground.
- Regularly prune shrubs and brushes.
- Keep your yard mowed and clear of tall, dry grass.
- Keep your yard and gutters clear of leaves and pine straw.
- Promptly dispose of cuttings and debris.
- Install spark arrestors on chimneys.
- Keep firewood away from your home and other structures.
- Build your driveway 14 feet wide to accommodate firefighting vehicles.
