On Sunday, May 31, 2026, our crews stopped a brush fire from turning into a major house fire.
A north-end homeowner using a weed-burning torch accidentally caught some arborvitae on fire. The fire rapidly spread up the trees and onto the roof of the home. Arriving firefighters quickly contained the blaze, limiting damage to the roof and attic over the garage.
This fire is a reminder that weed-burning torches can be extremely dangerous, especially during the spring and summer, when temperatures are high and plants are dry.
It only takes a second for wilted weeds to turn into a wildfire. Before you burn, here’s what you need to know:
- Weed-burning torches burn at roughly 1,200° F.
- Wood combusts almost immediately at 700° F
- Don’t use the torch near arborvitae, dry brush, grass, or bark
- Don’t use the torch during a burn ban
- ALWAYS have a charged garden hose or bucket of water nearby
- Call 911 immediately if you accidentally start a fire
