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  • NEWSROOM: WILDFIRES SPARKED BY OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT CAN BE PREVENTED

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    August 12, 2019

    Wildfires sparked by outdoor equipment can be prevented

    SAN ANGELO, Texas —Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments remind people operating equipment outdoors to be aware of current conditions to help reduce wildfires.

    Over the past week, Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters responded to six wildfires ignited by equipment use.

    Equipment use continues to be a major cause of wildfires. Each year, people using chainsaws, weed eaters, lawn mowers, welders, grinders, bulldozers, farm harvesting equipment, off-road vehicles and other equipment that generate sparks, start numerous fires.

    People who use equipment on or near dry grass and brush are encouraged to take a few simple precautions to prevent wildfires:

    • Check blades, bearings and belts prior to use to ensure good working order.
    • Check brakes and tires for proper inflation and tire condition.
    • Check fire conditions for possible fire danger before you operate equipment.
    • Comply with any conditions or restrictions regarding equipment use in your area.
    • Do not park cars, trucks or recreational vehicles on dry vegetation. The exhaust system on a vehicle can reach a temperature of more than 1,000 degrees; it only takes about 500 degrees to start a wildfire in the summer.
    • Use an approved spark arrester on all internal combustion powered equipment.

    For more information on current wildfire conditions, please visit the Texas Interagency Coordination Center website at https://ticc.tamu.edu.

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    Contacts:

    Statewide Public Information Officer, Texas A&M Forest Service, 979-255-0591, information@tfs.tamu.edu

    Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu
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