Dry weather increases risks of wild fires Published Jan. 16, 2008 By Altus Fire Department ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Grass and wild land fires only happen during the dry summer month's right? Wrong. The unseasonable days Altus had lately has lead to a few grass fires in the state and a couple in Altus' own back yard. The week of Jan. 11 saw a fire start in an alley in Altus. In just a short period of time this small fire grew large enough to consume a shed and a fence, according to Altus Times Online. Though it happened to be a minor incident, if the fire department had not extinguished the fire it could have consumed the homes it threatened. This is just one of the many documented grass fires that have sparked up in Oklahoma in just January alone, and the month is just half way through. Fire prevention measures Here are a few tips to follow: Raking up fallen leaves in the yard will reduce the amount of fuel for a fire. Keep charcoal grills on a noncombustible surface when using it and not just during the summer months. Additionally, don't dispose of hot coals in a trash can or dumpster. Smokers should put out their cigarettes when through smoking, and should only smoke in an area that has the proper smoking material disposal receptacle (this safety idea applies to pipes and cigars as well). "Fire prevention is just placing common sense into action," said Velvest J. Price, 97th Civil Engineering Squadron assistant chief fire prevention. "We can not afford to ignore simple fire prevention ideas. "The current weather conditions could last a while causing even dryer conditions, so please keep fire prevention in the forefront of your mind," he said. For information regarding fire safety please call the fire prevention office at 481-5845 or the fire department at 481-6333.