Number of base fires increasing

  • Published
  • By Meredith March
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The Hanscom Fire Department has responded to 10 fires on base since January. All 10 fires were relatively small and resulted in little monetary loss, however, the fire department encourages the community to be more cautious and aware of the dangers of fire, said 66th Mission Support Group Fire Prevention Capt. Dale Smith. 

"Our community cannot wait until Fire Prevention Month in October, to start fire prevention practices. The Hanscom Fire Department is asking Team Hanscom to implement fire prevention practices at home, at work and around the community," Fire Captain Smith said. 

Half of the fires on Hanscom this year have been outside fires, including dumpster, grass and mulch fires. All of these outside fires were contained and extinguished by Hanscom firefighters without injury and with very little damage to government property. It is important to remember, however, that outside fires can spread rapidly, possibly igniting structure fires, resulting not just in greater financial losses, but also posing great risks to firefighters, Fire Captain Smith said. 

"More than 40 percent of Hanscom's recent fires have been structure fires, and we have found that nine out of 10 fires on base could have been prevented if good fire prevention practices were being used," Fire Captain Smith said. "Five of these fires were caused by the improper disposal of cigarettes; three of them were caused by improper disposal of combustible materials; one was caused by an equipment malfunction and one was arson."

Fire prevention tips:

Dispose of cigarette butts in non-combustible containers; soak them with water before throwing them in the garbage. 

Do not dispose of combustible materials in the trash or dumpster; use the base provided services to recycle and discard flammables, combustibles and hazardous waste. 

Educate children that matches and lighters are not toys and only adults should use them. For more information on fire prevention and safety, call Robert Coonce at (781) 377-9402.