Fire Prevention in the South

Current Wildfire Danger

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) used to equate the effects of drought with the potential for wildfires. It measures the dryness of the soil and duff layer. The higher the index the higher the risk of wildfire.

You can prevent wildfires by adapting your activities based on fire danger levels. Check out the links below for prevention tips based on fire danger levels.

Fire Danger Adjective	KBDI
Low Fire Danger	0-150
Moderate Fire Danger	140-300
High Fire Danger	300-500
Very High Fire Danger	500-700
Extreme Fire Danger	700-800

State web sites with fire severity maps

Low Fire Danger

KBDI is 0-200.
Soil and fuel moisture are high, fire risk is low.
Wildfire danger is low. Grasses and forest fuels have abundant moisture.
Enjoy your time in the forest. Please practice low impact use with campfires or best use a compact gas stove.
At home, it may be too damp to burn yard debris. Smoke may linger making unhappy neighbors. It may also linger over highways creating hazardous driving conditions. Keep the air in your neighborhood clean.
Recycle yard debris whenever possible. Compost returns nutrients to your soil improving productivity for vegetable and flower gardens.
Properly dispose of household trash. Cans and glass do not burn. Use your community trash collection and recycling centers. Trash dumps are not only unhealthy, but are also wildfire hazards.

Moderate Fire Danger

KBDI is 200-400.
Fires more readily burn, soils and fuels are drying. Large down fuels will not burn well. Expect smoke to linger through the night.
Wildfire danger is moderate. Expect windy conditions to quickly dry grasses and forest fuels. Grasses and forest fuels may burn!
Build campfires cautiously. Keep them small. Clear an area around your campfire. Be safe, but limit the impact to the forest. Before leaving, be sure your fire is “dead-out” and naturalize your campsite.
Burn yard debris cautiously. Whenever possible, recycle yard debris as an alternative to burning. When trimming trees, chip the limbs and use the chips for mulch or place them in your compost bed.
If you must burn household trash, burn it in a container with a ½ inch screen mesh over its top. Clear the area immediately around the container of dry grass, weeds and brush. Whenever possible, use community trash collection centers. Properly dispose of cans and glass. Remember they do not burn.

High Fire Danger

KBDI is 400-600.
Fire intensity begins to significantly increase. Smaller fuels are dry and soil moisture is low.
Larger fuels will may burn and smolder for several days creating smoke problems.
When camping, build campfires only in designated locations. It is best to use a compact gas stove. When leaving your campsite, be sure your fire is “dead-out.” Naturalize your campsite.
Wildfire danger is high. Watch-out! Outdoor burning is risky. Grasses and forest fuels are increasingly becoming dry. Gusty winds can quickly spread a fire beyond your control.
Do not burn yard debris and household trash when winds are gusty and sustained. Fire brands or sparks may ignite dry grasses and forest fuels.
If you must burn, burn responsibly. Burning restrictions may be in place. Contact your county forestry office or community fire department for any required burning permits or fire restrictions. Be sure to have a water source to suppress any firebrands that may start a wildfire. A fire can quickly escape your control, causing considerable resource damage and even burn homes. Clear a safety zone to bare ground of at least 10 feet around a debris fire. Remember, you are responsible for your fire.
Recycling is your best and safest method to reduce unwanted yard debris. Compost returns nutrients to your soil improving productivity for vegetable and flower gardens.
Burn household trash only in containers covered with a ½ inch wire mesh. Clear brush, grass and trash surrounding the burn container. Make every effort to recycle household trash. Use your community’s trash collection system, if available.

Very High Fire Danger

KBDI is 600- 700.
Fires will burn to mineral soil.
Stumps and roots will burn. Spotting of fires over control lines is common. Heavier fuels will burn actively until consumed, contributing to fire intensity.
The fire danger is very high. Grasses and forest fuels are very dry. Weather conditions are very dry with low humidity, higher temperatures and gusty, unstable winds.
Check with your local national forest or national park for campfire restrictions. When camping, use only a compact gas stove in an area clear of dead grasses and forest litter.
Check with your county forestry office before burning yard and trash debris. Most likely burning restrictions are in place. A permit may be required.
Be sure mechanical equipment is equipped with a working spark arrestor. Never park in dry grass.

Extreme Fire Danger

KBDI is 700 to 800.
Soil and fuel moisture are depleted, making wildfire conditions at the extreme.
Wildfire danger is extreme. Drought conditions persist. It is much too dry for outdoor burning. Stop, don’t burn!
If not restricted, use camp stoves for cooking rather than campfires.
Do not light campfires. Conditions are much too dry.
Recycle yard debris as compost.
Recycle household trash such as newspapers, steel, aluminum, and glass.
Park your car or truck on dirt, gravel or pavement. Do not park on tall, dry grass. It may catch fire from the heat of your car. Dump charcoal coals in a container, not on the ground. Welding may ignite grass fires. Have a water source available to suppress welding sparks.