Cape Coral Fire Department urges caution amid burn bans

TONIGHT. THAT PART OF THE STORY IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS. >> ROB, THANK USE EXTREMELY DRY CONDITIONS HAVE A FIREFIGHTERS ACROSS THE GULF COAST PREPARING FOR THE WORST, AS THEY SAY, EVEN THE SMALLEST MEMBERS CAN SPARK. >> A PRETTY BIG FIRE. SO EVEN A SMALL EMBER CAN TRAVEL UP TO A MILE AWAY. AND SO THAT’S WHY WE REALLY >> EMPHASIZING THE BURN BAN THAT WE’RE UNDER RIGHT NOW. SO A NEW HERE AT 6 O’CLOCK OFF COAST NEWS REPORTER JOHN BARRON IS LIVE IN CAPE CORAL WHERE FIREFIGHTERS SAY MANY OF THESE WILDFIRES, THEY’RE PREVENTABLE JUNE. >> OUR METEOROLOGIST ROB DUNS SAID THE HIGHEST WIND GUSTS WE SAW TODAY WAS 29 MILES PER HOUR. NOW THOSE STRONG WINDS CAN QUICKLY BLOW EMBERS FROM A FIRE SPARKING MORE FIRES IN THIS EXTREME DROUGHT. I SPOKE TO CAPE CORAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ON WAYS WE CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES FROM HAPPENING. ALTHOUGH THIS COLD WEATHER MAY HAVE YOU THINKING OF BUILDING A CAMPFIRE, NO ONE SHOULD BE BURNING ANYTHING OUTDOORS RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE BURN BANS IN CAPE CORAL AND ACROSS THE GULF COAST. IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO SPARK A FIRE WITH GRASS SO DRY. WE’RE ASKING PEOPLE NOT TO DRIVE ATV’S DRIVE CARS ON GRASSY AREAS, GETTING ANY SORT OF LIKE. >> SPARK THAT MAY COME FROM THE ENGINE CAN EASILY START OF FIRES. WELL, YOU SEE ANY SMOKE AND SMALL COLUMN OF >> AND MAYBE YOU SEE A NEIGHBOR AND THEY’RE BURNING AND MAYBE THEY’RE UNAWARE ABOUT THE BURN BAN TO GO AHEAD AND GIVE US A CALL SO THAT WE CAN GO OUT AND EDUCATE THEM AND HELP PUT OUT THE FIRE. >> A REMINDER TO ANYONE WHO SMOKES IN OR AROUND THEIR HOME TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF THEIR CIGARETTE BUDS IN A GLASS OF WATER TO MAKE SURE THOSE FLAMES ARE COMPLETEL

The Cape Coral Fire Department is urging residents to avoid outdoor burning and take precautions to prevent wildfires during the current extreme drought conditions, as strong winds can quickly spread embers and ignite fires.Meteorologist Rob Duns said the highest wind gust Monday was 29 mph, which can exacerbate the risk of fires. Despite the cold weather tempting some to build campfires, officials emphasize that no outdoor burning should occur due to burn bans in Cape Coral and across the Gulf Coast. The dry grass can easily catch fire.Andrea Schuch from CCFD said, “We’re asking people not to, to ride ATVs or drive cars on grassy areas, any sort of like, sparks that may come from the engine can easily start a fire as well.”Schuch also advised, “And then if you see any small column of smoke, maybe you see a neighbor and they’re burning and maybe they’re unaware about the burn ban, to go ahead and give us a call so that we can go out, and educate them and help put out the fire.”Residents are reminded to properly dispose of cigarette butts in a glass of water to ensure the flames are completely extinguished.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

The Cape Coral Fire Department is urging residents to avoid outdoor burning and take precautions to prevent wildfires during the current extreme drought conditions, as strong winds can quickly spread embers and ignite fires.

Meteorologist Rob Duns said the highest wind gust Monday was 29 mph, which can exacerbate the risk of fires. Despite the cold weather tempting some to build campfires, officials emphasize that no outdoor burning should occur due to burn bans in Cape Coral and across the Gulf Coast. The dry grass can easily catch fire.

Andrea Schuch from CCFD said, “We’re asking people not to, to ride ATVs or drive cars on grassy areas, any sort of like, sparks that may come from the engine can easily start a fire as well.”

Schuch also advised, “And then if you see any small column of smoke, maybe you see a neighbor and they’re burning and maybe they’re unaware about the burn ban, to go ahead and give us a call so that we can go out, and educate them and help put out the fire.”

Residents are reminded to properly dispose of cigarette butts in a glass of water to ensure the flames are completely extinguished.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.