Fire season may seem far away thanks to a very rainy June
But now is the time to prepare for the fire season says Crystal Beckman, Fire information officer with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
“We have this great green grasses of early summer, it’s also a wonderful time to start thinking and preparing for wildfires before the grasses cure out and get brown and that fire risk increases,” Beckman said.
This is especially important for homeowners in rural and woodland settings. Clear away vegetation for 30 foot radius, cleaning debris and clutter from under porches and decks and keeping lawns mowed and watered.
And Beckman suggests homeowners look around their structure and clean out any leaves and pine needles and places were a fire could start
“Anywhere that embers can get into the cracks and crevices is important for the structure to be more defensible,” said Beckman.
Fire officials expect this year to be similar to last year, a wet winter and spring, followed by a severe fire season.
