Monday press release
Outdoor Cooking
Guidelines for Outdoor Cooking during a Burn Ban
Many Wise County residents are rightfully concerned about how a burn ban affects their plans to cook outdoors. The Wise County Fire Marshal’s Office urges all residents to use common sense when handling flammable materials during a burn ban. Below are a few guidelines to follow for outdoor cooking:
• Gas grills are the safest outdoor cooking option. Please keep the flames covered during the operation of your gas grill.
• If you want to use a charcoal or wood-burning grill, it must be placed on a concrete, gravel or dirt surface at least five (5) feet from any combustible materials. Please keep the cover on the grill during use.
• Smokers can be used if they are placed on a concrete, gravel, or dirt surface at least five feet from combustible materials. Keep the flames covered during use.
• Be sure to have a water source, i.e. a bucket of water or a garden hose, nearby in case of emergencies.
Should you have further questions regarding cooking outdoors during the burn ban, please contact the Wise County Fire Marshal’s Office at 940-627-5870 or email firemarshal@co.wise.tx.us
Outdoor Welding Guidelines
OUTDOOR WELDING GUIDELINES DURING THE BAN ON OUTDOOR BURNING
Where welding must be performed in the field, the following mitigating efforts will be in force until the Ban on Outdoor Burning has expired:
1. All areas where welding, cutting or grinding operations are being performed will be free of vegetation or at least 25 feet in all directions;
2. Surface around welding area will be wetted down;
3. Wind speeds must be no more than 15 miles per hour while performing welding, cutting or grinding operations outside of barriers or enclosures;
4. A dedicated fire watch person will attend each welder, cutter, grinder and any activity that causes a spark;
5. A minimum of one water pressure fire extinguisher per fire watch person is required;
6. Each site will have cellular telephone communications for emergency response;
7. All welding, cutting and grinding operations may be performed in a total welding enclosure or “welding box” that is sufficiently high to control sparks and includes a fire retardant cover over the top. Wind speeds must not exceed 30 miles per hour while utilizing an enclosure;
1. Where welding (above ground and sub-surface) is required in an area where there is a potential for a hazardous atmosphere, barriers will be substituted for total enclosures (e.g. “wind walls”) to prevent sparks from coming in contact with any combustible material;
2. The barriers will be installed to allow ventilation of the work area with ingress and egress to the work area for personnel safety;
3. Sub-surface or “bell hole” welding and grinding operations within approved excavations are allowed if all other mitigation efforts are included;
8. If an emergency exists where welding has to be performed, the Fire Marshal may issue a temporary exception to the order.