Outdoor fires on the rise
Firefighters reported an increase in outdoor grass and trash fires in November in Oklahoma City, according to a fire department spokesman.
As of Thursday, Oklahoma City crews had responded to more than 80 grass and trash fires for the month of November.
Sunday afternoon a 4-acre grass fire threatened homes and apartments in northwest Oklahoma City.
The fire burned west of apartments near N MacArthur Boulevard and south of W Memorial Road in 20 mph south winds. Firefighters kept flames out of the neighborhood and apartment property, but some stockade wooden fences were smoldering.
Firefighters with brush pumper trucks blocked the grass fire from advancing into storage units south of W Memorial Road and near Westlake Boulevard.
With outdoor vegetation becoming dormant in cold weather months, firefighters offer tips to prevent outdoor fires.
People should be careful working with anything that can cause sparks such as cooking, welding, using chains, low-hanging vehicle mufflers or trailers that can drag on pavement. People should be careful with discarded cigarettes and when working in brush or other outdoor burn piles, firefighters reported.
Oklahoma City residents who want to burn vegetation should acquire a burn permit through the fire marshal’s office. To obtain a burn permit call 297-3584.
Even if one has a valid burn permit, it is imperative to never leave burn piles unattended, firefighters advise.