With lack of rain and coming winds, officials warn to be wary of fire. Here’s what to know

“Setting the world on fire” is usually a phrase of encouragement, but be careful to not actually do it now. With dry conditions and strong winds on the radar in Kansas City this week, some local officials are putting out reminders that the conditions could lead to fires across the metro.

Overland Park’s fire department warned its residents on Twitter to not start a “flicking fire” by tossing a cigarette in the grass. The City of Independence extended a burn ban through 8 a.m., Friday, Dec. 17.

The Star’s service team reached out to Jason Rhodes, Overland Park Fire Department’s spokesperson, for tips on how you can prevent fires during this drought.

First, what is a burn ban?

It’s a suspension of activities that involve fire. This includes residents with burn permits -- which give them permission to burn items, such as leaves or trees, on their property. Burn bans are enacted with dangerous weather conditions, such as what Kansas City is currently in with the lack of rain and expected winds.

The ban on fires applies to all residents of the area that declares it, even those with burn permits.

What can you do to help?

Rhodes is asking people to be vigilant of how and where they put out fires. One of the biggest culprits of fires are the careless discarding of fire materials, such as cigarettes, he said. OPFD sees a lot of grass and mulch fires started because of people discarding their smoking materials without properly extinguishing them.

If you are a smoker, Rhodes recommended that before you throw your smoking materials away, you should submerge them in sand or water to make sure it’s completely extinguished.

The department would prefer you don’t burn anything at all, including having bonfires, or burning leaves. If you’re hosting friends around a fire pit or throwing down on a grill, take those extra precautions. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher or a water hose nearby, he said.

Rhodes also suggested that you should keep your fire sources 10 feet away from combustible materials, such as your house.

Any more questions about weather conditions and what to do about them in Kansas City? Ask our Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com, or use the form below to ask us another question.