Hot & Dry Conditions Causing Fire Hazards Across Southeast Ohio

ZANESVILLE, Ohio-With the current drought conditions across the area, vegetation has been abnormally dry and is susceptible for grass fires.

Doug Hobson, Assistant Fire Chief, Zanesville Fire Department, says that these grass fires can be very problematic and hard to contain.

“It’s a lot harder on the County because of the water source.” said Hobson. “If the County should happen to have a grass fire, they have to call for tankers and do shuttling for their tankers in order to keep that water supply up, and it also is tough because of the terrain.”

Hobson also said that the gear that the firefighters have to wear makes it very hard on them and that it causes them to become dehydrated very quickly.

“Please be careful, any open fire and any type of spark is all it takes for one of these grass fires to take over this dry vegetation.”

Hobson reminds us that you should always have a garden hose near your fires and to make smart choices when burning.