FireWise Up

Some California residents couldn`t have saved their homes from wildfires, but there are steps Arkansans can take before the season sets in here. The next fire season is around February, March and April, although the Forestry Commission says they`re already having some forest fires. "We`re beginning to dry out pretty good here in Arkansas...We need some moisture. If we don`t get a littl eof this rain over the next month or so, we could be in pretty bad shape, come January or February," said Mark Reed with the AR Forestry Commission. To protect your home from potential forest fires, the commission says start with the area outside your home. Keep lawns mowed and the area clean. Also maintain a defensible space around the home, of about 30 feet. "That there`s enough room between the house and the fire that firemen can work," Reed said. Keep gutters and valleys on the roof clear of leaves and pine needles which can catch sparks from forest fires, and set the home on fire. Also, keep firewood away from the home, it too can catch fire easily and cause the house to burn. The Arkansas Forestry Commission says this year, they`ve had more than 1,400 forest fires. They`ve damaged or lost about 24 homes, and threatened more than 280. For more information on becoming firewise, click on the following link: www.arkansasfirewise.com