With the snow quickly retreating and yard clean-up beginning, the Gorham Fire Department wants to remind you of outdoor fire safety.

We encourage you to follow these maintenance and safety tips to prevent incidents this season:

• Permits are required for all open burning of wood, brush, leaves and similar material; outdoor burning includes outdoor fireplaces, commercial/homemade fire pits and barrels. Permits can be obtained online at www.wardensreport.com or at the Central Fire Station front lobby between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., as conditions allow.
• Fires must be attended at all times by at least one capable adult with hand tools and a water source such as a charged garden hose. Children should not be allowed to play around burning areas.
• The brush pile should be kept small and added to, instead of trying to control one large pile or multiple small piles.
• Never use flammable or combustible liquids to ignite or accelerate a fire, paper and cardboard are acceptable and safer; many people each year are severely injured using gasoline and similar liquids.
• Generally speaking, open burning should not be conducted with wind speeds that exceed 10 mph, controlled burns of grass and fields should be done with wind speeds less than 5 mph.
• All outdoor fires must be thoroughly extinguished to prevent re-ignition and as with all unwanted fires, call 911 even if you think the fire is out.

By following these fire prevention tips, we can greatly reduce the risk of an incident around your home. Also, check out NFPA’s fire safety tips and recommendations at NFPA.org.