Know before you burn.: What is the Washington State Burning Guideline?

Know before you burn.

Human error fires make me so mad.

Such a biased statement, but as someone who’s gone through some gnarly fires within the Eastside of Washington State.

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Not fun, nor is it funny, but that gif lightened up the mood again.

What is the Washington State Burning Guideline?

Let’s break this down a bit better for us.

Source

Want to know the Burn Restrictions as they happen? Click Here.

I love that live look map, really gives you a feel for what to be aware of.

For Local burn bans, make sure to know the county you are in and camping in.

You will notice different burning levels depending on the county you are in.

Know of an illegal burn?

Report it here.

Have the following information ready:

• Your name and phone number. If we don’t have this, we won’t be able to contact you if we need more information. However, you may call anonymously
• Date and time of burning
• The county and town you live in
• The nature of your complaint or comment
• Specific location of smoke (if known)
• Source of smoke (if known)
• Landowner and/or burner (if known)
• A detailed description including what is being burned

Stay in the know, and burn with caution, or don’t.

8 Ways to Clear & Keep Wildfire Smoke from Your Home

Gallery Credit: AJ Brewster

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Keep Bathroom & Kitchen Fans Off

You may think that running bathroom fans would push out the smoke, but it only makes it worse. Fans like those found in the bathroom and kitchen push air out but also suck air from the unfiltered and unsealed cracks in your home. The only fans that should ever be on are from your central air running or from air purifiers.

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Run Portable Air Purifiers

It will probably be hard to find many of these around, so try overnighting one on Amazon. I know we personally invested in two different air purifiers last year and they helped quite a bit. The key is being able to find them.

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Homemade Air-Purifier

If portable air purifiers are sold out everywhere, it is possible to make one that works surprisingly well with just a box fan, some tape, and a good filter. Most people already have a fan, just buy a high-quality carbon HVAC filter that covers the fan, tape it to one side, and turn it on. Change the filter when it gets dirty. We made two of these last smoke season and they helped a lot.

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Close Fresh-Air Intake

Some AC systems have a fresh-air intake or setting that you need to close or your system will be pulling in smokey air. My system does not, but if you are not sure look up your systems manual or call your local AC shop for advice.

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Turn Swamp Cooler AC Off

The swamp cooler works differently from a normal AC system because it does not clean the air as it is cooled. If you have a swamp cooler ac system, it is recommended that you turn it off while the outside air is smokey and hazardous.

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Use High-Efficiency Filters

If you try to save money when buying your HVAC filters, you might be paying for it now. Make sure your filters are new and ‘high-efficiency’. Old dirty or cheap filters can cause problems with air quality in your home, especially now.

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Use Crock Pot to Clean Your Air

I know it sounds crazy, but you can use your crock pot or instant pot to clean your air. Fill wither up with water and then add 2-4 tablespoons of baking soda. Keep the heat on low with the lid off. The hot water will clean the air believe it or not. We sometimes have both the instant pot and crock pot going at once.

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Keep Outside Ash Outside

I know it sounds simple, but when wildfires are near ash and soot drop from the sky. That ash can cause air quality problems if it gets inside, so make sure you take steps to keep it out. Clean your door mats and be aware of any that might blow in.

10 Hidden Fire Hazards In Your Home You Need To Know

According to Cheapism.com, there are 13 hidden fire hazards in your home.

Gallery Credit: Kyle Matthews

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Overloaded Electrical Outlets

Overloaded electrical outlets are a significant fire hazard. They can lead to overheating, causing the outlet or power strip to melt or spark and potentially start a fire. To prevent this, avoid plugging too many high-wattage appliances into one outlet. Instead, distribute them across multiple outlets. Also, consider using power strips with built-in circuit breakers for an added layer of safety. Regularly check your outlets for signs of overheating, like discoloration or a burning smell.

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Liny Buildup

Lint buildup in dryer vents poses a significant fire risk, as excessive heat can ignite the lint. To mitigate this risk, regularly clean the lint filter after each laundry load. Also, consider an annual professional cleaning of the dryer duct and replace accordion-style ducts with aluminum foil tape, which seals better. Moreover, adding a secondary lint trap or a dryer duct booster fan can improve efficiency and safety.

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Faulty Wiring

Faulty wiring in a house can lead to serious safety hazards like fires. Signs include flickering or dimming lights, unusual smells, and sparking. Overuse of extension cords can also indicate underlying issues. To prevent problems, regularly inspect your wiring for visible damage or scorching. If you notice any warning signs, consult a professional electrician. Routine maintenance and timely repairs can help avoid major electrical problems.

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Flammable Materials

Flammable household materials, such as cleaning products, aerosol cans, and alcohol-based products, can ignite and cause fires. Even common items like cooking oils and paper can pose a risk. Store these materials away from heat sources and open flames, and maintain a clutter-free environment to prevent accidental ignition. Ensure smoke detectors are operational and have a fire extinguisher readily available. Educate family members about fire safety to further mitigate risks.

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Unattended Candles

Unattended candles are a leading cause of house fires. They can easily ignite nearby flammable materials, posing a significant safety hazard. To prevent this, always supervise burning candles and extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep. Keep candles away from curtains, books, and other combustibles. Use sturdy, heat-resistant candle holders that won’t tip over. Also, consider using safer alternatives like flameless candles or diffusers for scent.

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Unattended Cooking

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries. When left unmonitored, food or oil can overheat and ignite. To prevent this, never leave your kitchen unattended while cooking, especially when frying, grilling, or broiling. Use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking. Keep flammable items like oven mitts, utensils, and food packaging away from the stovetop. Lastly, have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.

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Portable Heaters

Portable heaters can pose a significant fire risk if not used properly. To ensure safety, keep heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable items like furniture, bedding, and curtains. Look for heaters with safety features like overheat protection, tip-over protection, and cool-touch housing. Never leave a heater unattended or use it in the bathroom. Avoid plugging them into extension cords or power strips, and always inspect for damaged plugs or loose connections.

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Faulty Smoke Dectectors

Faulty smoke detectors can cause false alarms or fail to alert during a fire. Causes include faulty wiring, dust buildup, or low battery voltage. To prevent issues, regularly inspect and clean your detectors and replace batteries as needed. Ensure wiring is in good condition and avoid using aerosol products excessively near detectors.

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Grease Buildup

Grease buildup in kitchens, particularly on stovetops and exhaust fans, can pose a serious fire risk. Accumulated grease can ignite when exposed to high heat. To prevent this, clean surfaces regularly, especially after cooking fatty foods. Use a degreaser or hot soapy water for stubborn spots. Regularly clean or replace filters in range hoods. Also, avoid leaving cooking unattended to prevent grease from overheating and igniting.

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Sawdust

Sawdust is a fire hazard due to its combustibility and large surface area, which can ignite quickly. Moreover, clouds of sawdust can cause fire or explosion, especially when contained within enclosures. Even piles of sawdust on the floor pose a fire risk, despite appearing less flammable. To prevent these dangers, ensure regular cleanup of sawdust, use dust collection systems during woodworking, and avoid storing sawdust in enclosed areas.

Important: 12 Tips To Stay Safe Using Your Fireplace and Chimney

There’s nothing quite like a lit fireplace: the warmth, light, smell, and sound of crackling wood transcends time and takes us back to a simpler time. It’s the spirit of hygge. But lighting a fire in your home comes with a lot of dangers. Before you light your fireplace, review these safety tips from the Washington State Fire Marshal.

Gallery Credit: Jaime Skelton

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Fireplace Safety – Flammable Objects

Tip #1: Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from your fireplace or wood stove.

This sounds obvious, but it’s also easy to forget, especially if you’re getting up from the fireplace for a while. The blanket and pillow shown here are in danger of being too close – honestly the Christmas tree isn’t in the safest place, either.

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Fireplace Safety – Burning Paper

Tip #2: Do not burn paper in your fireplace.

Yes, despite how often we see people throw secret documents, love letters, and money into fireplaces in the movies, this isn’t safe. Paper burns very quickly, which can create an uncontrollable amount of flames. Paper can also float up into the chimney and catch deposits along the chimney walls on fire.

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Fireplace Safety – Put Out Fires When You’re Away

Tip #3: Put any fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.

This should also go without saying, but sometimes we take things for granted or forget the fireplace is still burning. Always double check to make sure the fire is out before walking out your door.

The warmth can also easily lull you into sleep. If you start feeling sleepy in front of a fireplace, stand up immediately so you can stretch and, if necessary, put out the fire before tucking in for an actual nap or bedtime.

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Fireplace Safety – Chimney Inspection

Tip #4: Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.

You may not want to pay for someone to inspect, clean, or fix your chimney. But it’s a small price to pay: not doing so could result in terrible property damage, the loss of your home entirely, or health hazards.

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Fireplace Safety – Fireplace Screens

Tip #5: Keep a metal or glass screen in front of your fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out.

Most modern fireplaces already have this safety feature built in. Still, make sure that yours has one, and that it is in good shape.

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Fireplace Safety – Fireplace Remotes and Switches

Tip #6: Make sure fireplace “on” switches and remotes are out of the reach of children.

Kids don’t have the same understanding of, and fear of, fire that adults do. Make sure that your fireplace is secure and safe so that children can’t ignite them while you’re not looking.

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Fireplace Safety – Children Around The Fire

Tip #7: Keep a close eye on children whenever wood is being used.

Children may also not understand that firewood that has recently been extinguished is still hot and dangerous. There’s also the risk of splinters even with dry, unused wood.

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Fireplace Safety – Smoke Alarms

Tip #8: Have working smoke alarms in the home, and test them monthly.

This should be on everyone’s home checklist, fireplace or not. Smoke alarms – while they are annoying when the battery runs out at 4am in the morning – are one of the first and best methods of fire detection.

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Fireplace Safety – Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Tip #9: Install carbon monoxide alarms outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is fast, and a serious risk to everyone’s health. It can even be fatal. Because it is odorless and invisible, it can be a silent threat when a fire is burning. Make sure to have your alarms in working order, and learn the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning.

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Fireplace Safety – Stay at the Stove

Tip #10: When cooking, never leave the room and move things that can burn away from the stove.

“Stand by your pan.” That’s the words of Yakima’s Fire Department, but it’s true no matter where you cook. Leaving the kitchen unattended while the stove is on is the leading cause of kitchen fires.

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Fireplace Safety – Stove Inspection

Tip #11: Get fireplaces and wood stoves inspected annually. Burn only dry, seasoned wood.

Just like your chimney, your fireplace and wood stoves need to be checked out by professionals for your health and safety.

As for dry, seasoned wood – that’s wood that has a relatively low moisture content and has had time to dry, versus “green” fresh wood. Seasoned wood is important to use because wood that still has a higher moisture content will burn poorly and produce excessive smoke.

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Fireplace Safety – Artificial Logs

Tip #12: If using artificial fire logs, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and never burn more than one log at a time.

Artificial logs light easily and hold a flame for hours. However, they also create much more heat than regular firewood. Burning more than one at a time may create a fire that is too hot for your fireplace or chimney, creating additional safety risks.

Source: KPQ News Radio