As temperatures rise and residents begin dusting off their grills for summer cookouts, Hutchinson fire officials are urging the public to take precautions to prevent outdoor fires.
“People are pulling their charcoal and gas grills out of storage, and it’s important to make sure they’re using them safely,” Hutchinson Fire Department Fire Marshall Micharl Cain said. “One of the biggest things we tell people is to move the grill away from the house. It’s tempting to put it right outside the door for convenience, but it needs to be at least 20 to 25 feet from anything combustible.”
Before lighting up the grill for the first time this season, Cain recommends a thorough inspection — especially for gas grills. Users should check all gas lines and the propane tank for leaks or damage. Charcoal grill users should avoid placing their grills on wood decks, as dropped ashes can ignite decking material.
“Move it into the yard,” Cain said. “It might be a little less convenient, but it’s much safer.”
Once the grilling is done, ashes from charcoal grills should be completely cooled before disposal. Placing warm ashes into a poly-cart has been known to spark fires that can quickly spread to nearby structures.
The department also warns against leaving grills, fire pits or open flames unattended, even briefly.
“We’ve had cases where someone lights the grill and realizes they forgot something, then runs to the store,” Cain said. “That’s when problems start. Never leave any kind of fire or heat source unattended.”
In addition to grilling safety, fire officials are reminding residents about regulations regarding open burning in Hutchinson. Fires must be contained in fire pits no larger than three feet in diameter and two feet deep, and should be kept away from homes, sheds, fences and other combustible materials.
“Anything you buy from a hardware store — chimineas, commercial fire pits — those are fine,” Cain said. “But again, keep them away from the house, at least 20 to 25 feet, and never place them on a wooden deck or porch.”
Officials say the most common fire hazards arise not during the fire, but afterward, when ashes are disposed of prematurely.
Another key concern this summer is wind. In Kansas, gusty conditions can turn a small flame into a fast-moving fire.
“If the wind is blowing, just don’t burn — even recreationally,” Cain added. “It’s not worth the risk.”
With proper precautions, fire officials say residents can enjoy grilling and outdoor gatherings safely throughout the season.