The Duncan Banner

Local News

July 27, 2012

Fire chief weary of dry conditions

Burnside believes people need to be extra cautious

Rebeka Rutledge The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — As temperatures are rising into the high 90s with some days even hitting the 100 degree mark, fire season has reached its peak.

While the rainfall the area received earlier in the year has relieved some of the extremely high danger of last summer, there is still much to be careful of.

Dayton Burnside, chief for the Duncan Fire Department, has said there have been less incidents than last year.

“It has been relatively lighter as far as activity,” he said. “But with the temperatures high, we are in high fire danger and people need to be extra cautious.”

The Duncan Fire Department deployed to Indiahoma Wednesday afternoon to help with a major grassfire.

They didn’t return until 8 a.m. Thursday morning. Damage from that fire has reached 12,000 acres.

To avoid that type of tragedy happening locally, Burnside laid out several of the common precautionary rules for Stephens County residents to abide by.

“It’s important to keep all areas around structures and vegetative areas clear,” he said. “You should secure loads on vehicles so there are no sparks created that may start a fire.”

Keeping an eye on campfires and trash fires is a must in order to keep them under control.

Even one minute on lack of attention can have a small flame turn into a large blaze.

As was demonstrated earlier this week on Tuesday, the mix of wind and power lines can mean disaster. A Duncan home caught fire after a power line came down on the residence.

Should anyone notice a power line coming loose or already have fallen down, notify the fire department immediately so a fire may be avoided.

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