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Landscaping Mulch Fires – Fire safety in your yard!
Fire safety in your yard!
Over the last few years, the Fredericton fire department has responded to hundreds fires that involved landscaping mulch and planters. Some of those fires have spread into homes and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses, not to mention the emotional toll on the families involved.
Potting soil purchased in stores may actually contain very little actual soil; in fact the majority are made up of organic material that is easily combustible. Although this potting soil does a great job at what it was made for, it’s not acceptable for the discarding of smoking materials, matches, or any hot items. Generally we see potting soil that someone has placed, or tried to bury, a cigarette butt in, and over a short period of time the “soil” actually burns and can ignite nearby combustibles, including decks and/or siding.
Landscaping mulch has become much more popular over the years, and does an excellent job at helping maintain plants and the look of a garden. Much the same as potting soil it is readily combustible and can be ignited by discarded smoking materials.
It is unfair to blame these fires on the soil or mulch; it’s the improper discarding of smoking materials or similar “hot” items that cause the problem. Care should be taken to provide cans or other non-combustible receptacles for smokers. If you host a gathering or party at your residence, ensure smokers use these ash trays you have provided. If you don’t allow smoking at your party, make sure you place a metal can outside, possibly beside the driveway, to remind smokers to use this as opposed to tossing a butt into the garden. Fire departments recommend the home owner do a “home inspection” after a party before retiring for the night and make sure the cigarette containers have been soaked.
A study done in California showed some success using a mix of ammonium sulphate and water (1.5 Kg to 80 L of water per 100 square meters), sprayed over mulched gardens, acts as a fire retardant and also helps treat nitrogen deficiencies. You should speak with a landscaping company or horticulturist to determine if this is appropriate for your garden. If this method is chosen, we recommend treating at least the mulch closest to the home and other structures. The other way to alleviate this problem is to remove the mulch next to the house or building, giving a few feet of clearance between the mulch and combustible construction.
If you have any questions or concerns on this, please drop the Fire Prevention Division a line.
