Wave of Grass Fires Continues

As dry weather continues, City of Madison firefighters are responding to an average of 3-5 grass fires every day. Yesterday they were four. One was attributed to discarded smoking materials, another started with fireworks, and two more have an undetermined cause. Residents should be aware that the extremely dry conditions have dramatically increased the potential for outside fires. If you smoke, please discard your used smoking materials with care: 1. Douse them in water. 2. Dispose of them in a non-combustible container designed for that purpose. Please remember that most fireworks are prohibited in the City of Madison. The exceptions are caps, snaps, snakes, party poppers and sparklers. However, residents are urged to refrain from using any fireworks during this extremely dry weather. Parents are advised to keep ALL fireworks out of the hands of children. Open burning is strictly prohibited in the City. While the City of Madison does allow outdoor fireplaces and grills within City limits under certain conditions, residents are asked to refrain from using any outdoor fireplaces until the area receives some rain. If any fire poses a perceived nuisance or safety hazard, firefighters may be called and will extinguish those fires at their discretion. Residents who see smoke or fire in any grassy area are advised to call 911 immediately. Grass fires move very quickly on dry ground and require a rapid response to ensure containment.