Controlled burn turns into out of control fire, firefighters remind community to take preventative measures
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AMMON — Firefighters responded to an out-of-control burn Friday evening around 4:12 p.m. It happened near 10600 North 25th East in Bonneville County.
Idaho Falls Fire Department spokeswoman Kerry Hammon told EastIdahoNews.com that the controlled burn that got out of control came in as a structure fire because a barn was threatened at the time. She said that it did not burn.
Hammon said less than an acre burned and no injuries were reported. However, this is a good reminder to stay vigilant as the weather conditions begin to change.
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In a recent news release from the Idaho Falls Fire Department, Hammon said they are encouraging property owners to take extra preventative measures.
“According to recent reports from Idaho water experts, more than half of Idaho is in a severe drought. Hot and dry conditions result in additional risk when conducting controlled burns. Low soil moisture increases fire behavior, resulting in hotter fires that could spread quickly. Landscape features that typically stop-controlled fires may not do so in drought conditions,” the release said.
The news release stated that these factors can be reduced with good planning, like using wider firebreaks and only burning when air temperatures are less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit with wind speeds less than 12 mph (measured at 6 feet above the ground) and relative humidity between 30 and 55 percent.
Having the proper equipment will also help mitigate risk, including a readily available source of water, fire rake, shovel, and a cell phone if the fire becomes uncontrolled.
Hammon suggests that before burning, you can get up-to-date forecast information by contacting the National Weather Service in Pocatello at (208) 233-0834 or by going to their website. Also, check with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for daily air quality and weather condition reports.
“Keep in mind that while the wind conditions may be ideal in the morning, they could quickly change by early afternoon,” Hammon said in a release.
Prior to starting the controlled burn, call the Idaho Falls/Bonneville County Dispatch Center at (208) 529-1200 and provide them with the location, date, and time of the burn. Call them again when the burn is complete.
“We are fortunate to live in a community where people keep a watchful eye out for each other and call 911 when something is out of the ordinary, such as smoke and flames. By alerting dispatch prior to conducting a burn, the emergency communication officers will know it’s a controlled burn and will not send fire engines and ambulances rushing down the road with lights and sirens,” said Hammon. “This simple preventative measure also decreases risk to our personnel and others on the roadway.”