 As temperatures drop, fire crews start to see a lot more home fires.
"We're certainly transitioning into the season where we see a lot more structure fires," said Adam Mayberry with Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue. "So it's a really important reminder this time of year for people to be much more cognizant about home heating and cooking. And with the pandemic, we're seeing a lot more people staying at home, so that increases the threat of a home fire as well."
He recommends never leaving a stove or oven unattended, and taking a look at heating sources.
"Fireplaces, wood burning stoves, space heaters, it's really important to ensure that there's at least a three-foot diameter around any open flame or high-heating device like a space heater," Mayberry said. "That area needs to be clear and free of combustible material; that will go a long way to reduce your fire threat."
The deadly Washoe Drive Fire was caused by hot fireplace ashes that were improperly disposed of, and hot ashes caused another small brush fire over the weekend.
"It's important to use an ash can or other fireproof container," Mayberry said. "Dump those ashes in, fill the container with water, stir, and allow to sit for 48 hours before you dispose of the ashes. Because those hot ashes can have lit embers deep inside that can stay very hot for a long period of time if they're not disposed of properly. We've had some of our worst wildfires in November, in January, so this is the time for residents to continue to be cognizant. Don't dispose of hot ashes or engage in activities that are going to create sparks in the wildland."
Open burning in unincorporated Washoe County remains closed, but there are still green waste collection sites for those that want to create defensible space. More details on that can be found here.
For more information on how to safely dispose of fireplace ashes, click here.
