Summertime is fire safety discussion time.

Mercer Island’s Emergency Manager Amanda Keverkamp and her crew are ready for the hottest and driest juncture of the year with a robust list of ways for residents to keep themselves, others and the terrain protected.

Along with the city’s ban on the sale and discharge of consumer fireworks to reduce fire risk, Keverkamp shares information with the community that fires can be started by tossing lit cigarettes out of car windows; and sparks can be thrown on dry grass by driving on exposed wheel rims or brakes that are worn too thin, utilizing chainsaws and welding tools and more.

“We want people to start getting into that preparedness mindset where they’re thinking of those consequences,” she said of the fire hazards. “It’s not just here on Mercer Island, but we know that people go out and go hiking and go camping and do those things. We want to make sure that as Islanders head out into the community that they’re being mindful of the places that they’re going to.”

Professional fireworks displays — like at Summer Celebration — are still allowed if properly permitted. According to the city, recreational burning is not allowed on Mercer Island without a permit from the fire department — and may be further restricted depending on air quality or fire danger.

Burning of yard debris or to clear land is prohibited on Mercer Island per city code, the city added. Presently, a Stage 1 Burn Ban for rural areas of King County is in effect.

Despite the fireworks ban, Keverkamp said that Mercer Island Police Department’s officer patrol and marine patrol responded to 77 fireworks calls for service on July 4. They issued 25 warnings, but no further enforcement or action was needed, she said, adding that there were no reported injuries or property damage associated with fireworks.

In the small brush fire realm on the Island, Eastside Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Catherine Breault said that its crews have responded to and contained a handful of fires over the last two months. Two of the fires were car-related and others were from a smoldering log, bark or brush.

“We’re always encouraging people to keep an eye out for them and report them when they see them because they can and do have the potential to spread fairly quickly,” she said.

Keverkamp said that preparedness on the home front in case of a fire can include creating a defensible space around one’s home by clearing dead leaves, pine needles and other debris from the roof, gutters and other spaces. Trimming trees and shrubs so they’re not touching the home is key as well.

“That way, if there is a fire that it can’t reach your home or that the firefighters can get there,” she said.

WATER SAFETY AND MORE

When it comes to summer water safety, Breault said they want to make sure that swimmers and boaters are using life jackets, swimming with a buddy and being prepared for cold water.

A large, dedicated group of volunteers lend a vital hand on Mercer Island and will take part in the city’s annual Emergency Well and Community Points of Distribution event on July 25, National Night Out on Aug. 5, Annual Volunteer Exercise on Aug. 23, Stop the Bleed Class on Sept. 11 and Emergency Preparedness Workshop on Sept. 23. To join the city’s volunteer team, residents can find information at mercerisland.gov/emergencyvolunteer.

Residents can also sign up for ALERT King County at https://kingcounty.gov/alert to receive alerts via text message, email and by phone in one of 29 languages.

Mercer Island residents participate in last year’s Annual Volunteer Exercise. Photo courtesy of the city of Mercer Island