Growing Danger: How to Keep Safe From Mulch Fires

When looking for potential fire hazards around the house this summer, most people wouldn't think that one of the biggest dangers could be in their gardens.

But each year during this time, hundreds of landscaping mulch fires are reported. That's why the wants residents to know how to protect themselves from these fires that start out small and undetected, then grow into major blazes that quickly spread to shrubbery and homes.

The fire district provides these tips and advice so residents can help keep the community mulch fire-free:

How Mulch Fires Start

• Piled Too Deeply: If mulch is piled more than a few inches, heat builds up, and the mulch catches fire.
• Decorative Lighting: These lights can be installed too close to or even inside mulch, they can heat it up and cause a fire. 
• Dry Conditions: Below average rainfall, warm temperatures and high winds can create a situation that turns mulch into a tinder box.
• Careless Smoking: Discarding matches or still-smoldering cigarette and cigar butts into landscaped areas near building entrances is a dangerous habit. The sparks and heat from these items can easily catch mulch on fire.

Tips for Preventing Mulch Fires

• Use smoking materials responsibly.
• Use only approved receptacles for matches, cigarettes and cigars.
• Recognize that hot and dry spells allow mulch fires to start more readily.
• Report any smoke or fire in a mulch bed by calling 911.
• Maintain at least 18 inches of clearance between the edge of the mulch bed and combustible building materials, such as exterior vinyl siding, wood siding and decks.
• Keep mulch beds as moist as possible.

SOURCE: Frankfort Fire Protection District