NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge

-NORTH SHORE Gardens Contest judges (from teft) Jiit McGowan, Aimee Murrell and Harriott
‘McNaughton learn what to look for in choosing the North Shore’s best gardens. Entry forms
for the competition can be obtained at loca! municipal halls, libraries and nurseries. The entry
deadiine ts July 17. For more information, call 986-6070 or 925-4223,

Save Woot

YOU PROBABLY remember the
-terrible images from the California
brush fires last year. Flames raged
out of control for days, causing $1
“billion ia damage. : :
Canada isn't immune to ‘such
disasters. Each year ‘about 8,600 |
‘fires bum two million hectares of
Canadian forest, not to mention the
homes and cottages in a fire’s path. '
Whether you’re opening up the
. cottage for the summer or living
next to a forested area year round,

preparation is the best defense:

. against the threat of. fires. ‘To give

yourselfa break, make a break - a

* fire-break, that is.

A fire-break is simply: an area.
“your fire-break 26 metres from -

around your home. that won't fuel a

fire. Walk five metres in ali direc-"
“tions around. your, home.’ That’ s:

your primary fire-break. :

Now go another-10 metres (15>

metres from the home) to create. the
secondary break area. ;

Here’s what you do. For the pri-..

mary fire-break, space trees so the
tops are at least five metres apart.
Saw off branches. fewer ‘than ‘three
.,Metres above ground-level, and

prune branches so they’re three.
. metres from’a chimney ‘or stove’

“pipe. Remove flammable grourd

‘litter,such as dead: grass: or treés,

‘branches ‘and household debris. :

. As it’s farther from the home, a
secondary fire-break is really your
first fine. of defence. Remove

shrubs, small trees and dead ground -

litter from this area. Keep the tops
of mature trees over five metres
apart to‘ prevent a ground fire

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66. Remove flamma- |
ble ground litter such
as dead grass or trees,
branches and
household debris. 99

spreading. up. .
Keep in mind that fire travels
uphill, It’s a good idea to extend

your home if you live on a sloping

‘site.
Although ‘urban dwellers typi- .

cally can’t get that far from their

home without leaving their proper- |

ty,-they should do what they can,

“within their lot, to break fires that.

could start in the wilder and well- °
~ treed areas further. up the moun
tains. ;

While a fire-break ‘ can “help stop
fires from reaching your door, take

care to ensure the fire doesn’t start.
_at your door.” ;

Fire prevention at “all times
means using common sense. That

means staying in the kitchen if the
stove or oven is on. It means keep-
ing cleaning fluids and other flam-
mable materials in approved con-
tainers.

It means maintaining the fuse
boxes, heaters and wiring. And it
means using smoke detectors and
fire extinguishers.

Consider a few other fire safety
tips:

@ Dry grass and debris collect
under open: porches and decks, so
close them. This wil! keep sparks
from blowing in and starting a fire;
Keep fiberglass boats and
canoes, which are highly flamma-
ble, away from structures, Store
them upside down, one metre above
ground level on a clearing or. rock,

If you’re storing a powerboat near- |.

by, remove any gasoline;

f@ Stack firewood and lumber well °

away from your home; and

‘@ Don’t scatter barbecue coals or

ashes on bare ground.
You hope you won't need them,

but keep the numbers for forest fire -
teporting and the local fire depart-

ment near the phone.

' A quick response to-a fire could ©
be a real break for the forest and

nearby residents.
- Courtesy the Insurance Bureau
of Canada.

GARDENING
TIPS BY GEORGE

; what to plant in shady areas? For

continuous bicom, try no-step

“| begonlas, impatiens, fuchsia, and
-] for contrast try adding some
| Coleus. For something different,

| Plant mimutus (monkey flower).
Colourful New Guinea Impatiens.
also make an excellent display al

i summer long.

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