So far in the month of July, the Seattle Fire Department has responded to more than 150 warm weather-related fires involving dry grass, bark and shrubs. Seattle residents can help reduce the chance of such outdoor fires by following a few simple steps:

• Remove long grass, weeds or anything that can burn from around your home. This includes limbs that touch your home or hang near the roof.

• Remove dead plants or bushes as soon as possible.

• Clear roof and gutters of needles and leaves.

• Make sure cigarettes have cooled completely before throwing them out. Carelessly discarded cigarettes can easily start a fire in dry conditions.

For a Summer Fire Safety Fact Sheet, visit: http://www.seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/brochures/Summer%20Safety.pdf