MILTON — Following recent storms in the tri-county area, Florida Forest Service officials encourage residents to practice safe burning, whether they are destroying yard debris or blown-down limbs and trees.
FFS, which regulates burning, shares these guidelines to stay safe, stay legal and avoid undesirable effects from smoke.
THE BASICS
●Legal burning hours are between 8 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
●Start any burn as early as possible — within the rules — so the fire has time to die before evening fog sets in.
●Piles greater than 8 feet in diameter require FFS authorization.
SETBACKS
Piles less than 8 feet in diameter must be:
●At least 25 feet from any forested area (grasslands, brush or wildlands)
●At least 25 feet from your home or other combustible structure
●At least 50 feet from a paved or public roadway
●At least 150 from an occupied dwelling other than your own home.
●Clear down to bare, mineral soil around your pile to prevent the fire from spreading
DON'TS
●Do not burn household garbage (including paper products), treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticide, paint and aerosol containers. It is illegal.
●Do not burn green or wet materials. It is illegal and creates excessive smoke.
● Do not burn on windy days.
● Do not leave a fire unattended — even for a moment. Grass fires spread quickly. Be prepared. Keep handy a water hose, shovel or other means to put out the fire.
DO:
●Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving it — no smoke and no heat.
●Call for help immediately if your fire escapes. Several minutes may pass before a fire department or the FFF can arrive on scene.
●Know you might be held liable for the cost of suppression and damage to other properties
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Safety tips for burning Northwest Florida yard debris