Fire beats me to it before mowing (pics)

skidoo · Apr 4, 2008

Well, I have been meaning to do some clean up and mowing to reduce fire fuels. I have started close to the house and have been planning to continue beyond as time permits.

Well, a neighbor today decided to burn and it turned into too much for them which spread to my place. Fire cleared it up much quicker than mowing! Now, maybe I can more easily go over the land and smooth out the big bumps, rocks, etc. so that I can mow easier in the future and keep the fuels in check. I just hope not too many trees were killed. Fortunately, the mowing closer to the house kept it safe.

Egon · Apr 4, 2008

Thanks for the pictures.

Out at the "Farm" I have several acres that I was contemplating on burning. They are broken up into smaller patches with tilled strips in between. I think I will not burn.

ToadHill · Apr 4, 2008

My neighbors fire got out of hand the summer before last and burned into my woods for about 50 yards. It burned up all the dead leaves and some of the smaller slash but all the trees went unharmed. By the looks of your fire, about the same damage as mine, your trees should recover.

bontai_Joe · Apr 5, 2008

Gotta love neighbors like that. I sure am glad to hear that your house escaped. Typically this kind of fire flashes through the dry stuff quick, but usually does not hurt deep rooted trees as long as their canopy does burn.

skidoo · Apr 5, 2008

What a difference just 30 hours makes... Snow on the Ground!

I haven't heard anything yet from the neighbor, not even an apology.

It looks like I lost maybe a few young pine trees and a pheasant nest. I think the big trees are fine other than some scars. Other than that, it made it easier for me to do some clean up. I can now see the ground and pick up any rocks or other obstructions. I was worried about mowing that area before because it was difficult to see what was underneath the deep grass, ferns, and brush. We will see how things recover this spring...

What you you expect from your neighbor? What would you do, just tell them to not worry about it or what?

Egon · Apr 5, 2008

Will the fire department send him a bill and bless him with a fine?

skidoo · Apr 5, 2008

Egon said:
Will the fire department send him a bill and bless him with a fine?

They have the legal right to do so. But, they may or may not...

FredH · Apr 5, 2008

I disk a 10' bare earth swath down the south side of property and same on the west side . South side is mostly downhill from house and west side is all downhill from house . Several of the neighbors in both those directions have asked :

" Why do you that each spring ?

" Well , In case I do something stupid , I don't want to burn up your property to . " (

)

" Oh , thats so nice of you . " **

** ( Not realizing the slope of the land and prevailing winds that would actually take a fire from my property the OPPOSITE direction ! Trying to be nice and not rude , but it still went over their heads .

)
Especially since right before fire season here , I brush hog down the entire field and keep all limbs on trees at least 10' off ground so there are no ladder fuels to take a fire into the crown . While their properties have dry grasses 3 feet high and brush / dead limbs every were .

When I was a Volunteer Firefighter / EMT here , we actually responded to a brush fire in January one year . Had about 6" of snow on the ground in shady areas , so it was kind of neat chasing fire around these large swaths of snow .

Fred H.