Wildfire Preparedness for Propane Tanks
The best way to prepare for a wildfire is in advance, meaning fire isn’t currently headed your way. It’s important to be aware of drought, fire weather watches and fire warnings if your propane tank could potentially be affected.
Keeping the area surrounding a propane tank clear of debris and anything flammable goes a long way in wildfire protection. Ensuring that the tank is up off the ground and properly installed on blocks helps prevent direct flame impingement upon the propane tank itself.
A good rule of thumb is to keep a 10 foot radius around propane tanks clear of anything that may be used as fuel for a fire. This includes long and uncut grass, leaves, trash, tires or anything combustible that could be consumed by fire.
Additional Steps to Prevent Flame Impingement
- Additional steps that can be taken to prevent flame impingement on a propane tank include the following or a combination of:
- Scalp (cut the grass/weeds closely) the area around a tank exposing bare ground
- Use weed/grass killer around the tank after cutting vegetation to the surface
- Spread base material or gravel around the tank to prevent vegetation growth
- Ensure that all propane tank distance requirements — underground / above ground — are satisfied
Cylinder Storage Safety
Cylinders should be stored in a manner similar to that of a large propane tank. They should sit on a level fireproof surface with the surrounding area clear of debris, tall grass or other combustible material. Because cylinders are portable, they can easily be moved to a new location in the event of a wildfire.