Summer is usually a busy month for Washington State Department of Transportation crews. But with roughly double the number of roadside brush fires this season compared to last year — more than 100 since April 1, including several in the Marysville area — crews are changing up their routines.
A post on The WSDOT Blog by Barbara LaBoe detailed the steps, and also gave tips on how drivers can help reduce brush-fire risks.
Already the agency tries to complete its mowing in early spring or late fall to avoid the hot, dry summer season. But not everything can wait.
For jobs that can’t, crews keep water and tools on site to extinguish any sparks or fires that start due to their work, which often involves heavy machinery.
Maintenance work also is limited to 8 p.m. to 1 p.m., avoiding the hottest parts of the day.
The department has invested $250,000 over two years in water tanks, shovels and backpack sprayers, along with added fire prevention and safety training at $50,000.
The top causes of brush fires along roads:
– Drivers throwing lit cigarettes, fireworks or other items out of cars
– A blown tire or other malfunction that produces sparks
– Driving a vehicle onto dry grass or vegetation that is susceptible to heat from the car’s engine
There’s a $1,025 ticket for those caught flicking cigarettes out the window, by the way.
Have a question? Email us at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your name and city of residence. Look for updates on our Street Smarts blog.
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