The “One Less Spark—One Less Wildfire” campaign is designed to provide constant reminders during this fire season to reduce the numbers of vehicle and equipment fires throughout our community and across the state. By reviewing the following information and taking these important steps, you can do your part to keep Santa Rosa safer: 

Equipment Safety 

• Mow before 10 A.M, but never when it’s windy or excessively dry.
• Lawn mowers are designed to mow lawns, not weeds or dry grass.
• Metal blades striking rocks can create spark and start fires.
• Spark arresters are needed on all portable gasoline-powered equipment including tractors, chainsaws, weed eaters, and mowers. This device will help prevent the emission of flammable debris from combustion sources and creating an unwanted fire. 
• Keep a fire extinguisher, a shovel, and a cellphone nearby to be able to act quickly in the event that a spark causes a fire.
• Create a maintenance schedule for all equipment to ensure that it is working properly and to prevent carbon from building up.

Practicing Vehicle Safety

Motorists are responsible for many of the wildfires sparked along roadways. Nearly all these fires started could be prevented by following these safety measures:

• Practice safe towing by ensuring your chains are now dragging. Ensure the chain is safely secured to avoid a spark.
• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and nothing is dragging on the ground.
• Don’t drive your vehicle onto dry grass or brush. Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires that you may not see until it’s too late.
• Carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle and learn how to use it.

Visit srcity.org/WildfireReady and go to the Resource Library where you’ll find more information on the "One Less Spark" campaign. Remember One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire.

Learn more about the Weed Abatement Ordinance by visiting srcity.org/WildfireReady and clicking on Weed Abatement.