Windbreaks, Woodlands, and Trees

• Your back is the central part of your body. When it hurts, it is hard to do any sort of physical activity. Therefore, care must be taken not to injure or stress one=s back while cutting wood. When getting low to the ground, as when making a notch or a back-cut, bend at the knees or actually kneel down. Don=t bend over and put stress on your back. When cutting brush with a chainsaw, position your body so that your right wrist or forearm is resting on some portion of your right leg or knee. This will take a large part of the stress off your back and place it on your legs, which are much stronger.

• Use sturdy boots and be sure your footing is solid before making each and every cut. Chainsaw cut-resistant boots are fairly expensive but are a good investment.

• Make sure you have a good, firm grip on both handles of the chainsaw. Your thumbs and fingers should encircle the handles so that the saw can=t slip out of your hands easily.

• When bucking logs or firewood, hold the saw slightly to the right of you. This will place you out of harm=s way should rotational or linear kickback occur. (Try to be outside the plane formed by the bar and chain.)

• Be sure to keep the chain brake unit clean, as sawdust and oil can reduce its effectiveness. Revving the saw and engaging the chain brake by hitting the chain brake handle with your left wrist will indicate whether the brake is working correctly and it will help to clean out accumulated debris. If the brake is working correctly, the chain will stop instantly and you will NOT be able to see it slow to a stop.

Last fall, close to 70,000 trees and shrubs were planted one afternoon in Thurston county! Wow, right!! With the help of Thurston County NRCS, the Papio-Missouri NRD and the local operator of the property, we were finally able to get a project Ain the ground@ that we had been working toward for over a year. The project consisted of Aplanting@ the trees and shrubs by scattering seeds in a 2.5 acre prepared area and then discing to incorporate them into the ground where they will go through the natural freezing and thawing necessary to break the internal embryo dormancy before germinating next spring.

The initial desire to try plantings like this came from two primary sources. First, the Winnebago Tribe has been planting walnut nuts with a machine tree planter in CRP fields for over eight years now with good germination success. Second, a visit to the Iowa Loess Hills State Forest involved a couple site visits to fields where our Iowa forester friends have direct seeded for hardwood timberland establishment. Again, there was good success with initial germination and growth of the nut and hardwood trees seeded. A commitment by the Lower Elkhorn NRD for $2,000 to establish four pilot projects in northeast Nebraska and the availability of the CP22 - Forested Riparian Buffer practice available now for landowners under the CRP has enabled us to get several of these types of projects ready to go in the northeast district this past fall and next spring in four different counties. The Abackbone@ of the plantings will be the black walnuts, northern red oaks and hazelnuts. The other trees and shrubs will act as cover crops, trainers and alternative attractants for deer, rabbits and rodents.

The following are the seeding mixtures and rates that we have planted and will be trying:

Mixture 2:

In addition to the CP22 hardwood plantings, we will be establishing at least four sites in cooperation with funding provided by the Logan Creek Pheasants Forever chapter where shrubs are needed for CRP-CP4 Wildlife Habitat requirements. Currently it is required in some CRP contracts that a certain percentage of acreage be planted to shrubs. This can be quite costly with the expected stocking rate of 600 stems per acre being planted when using seedlings ($300-450/acre). The Abackbone@ for these plantings will be American plum and chokecherry (two good >ole natives). Four sites will be planted using the two seed mixtures:

Mixture 1:

Mixture 2:

If you have suggestions, possible sites where this AOld Fashioned Way@ could be tried or want more information, contact this office for more details.

Fire Prevention News

Nebraska State Fire School

Each year nearly 2000 FIREFIGHTERS, rural board members, city administrators, attorneys, fire officials and community leaders from Nebraska and many other states in the nation attend this function to learn and share ideas about fire prevention and fire suppression. This is the largest fire school of its type in the nation. This is your school and your state. The responsibility is yours. Make plans now to attend the Nebraska Fire School. The dates are: May 19-20-21, 2000, in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Ash Disposal

Each year, nearly 395,000 homes catch fire in the United States because of improper removal of fireplace or wood burning stove ashes or embers. These fires result in numerous injuries and deaths, and almost $4.5 billion in property damage.

• Follow your owner=s manual instructions.

• Burn the proper fuel. Only firewood or fuel approved by your heating appliance manufacturer should be burned in fireplaces or wood burning stoves.

• Schedule for regular maintenance. Creosote may build up on the chimney, limiting the appliance=s performance. This also creates a fire hazard. Regular maintenance and cleaning will help avoid build up.

• Dispose of ashes and embers properly. Leave ashes and embers in the appliance for several hours to let them cool. When the ashes and embers have cooled, remove them with a metal scoop. Place the ashes and embers in a metal container with a lid, not a cardboard box, plastic bag or in a trash can with other trash. This container should be stored outside away from the building, not in family rooms or garages, just in case hot ash or embers might still be present. (Source: Ash disposal brochure, State Farm Insurance Companies)

Frostbite

Frostbite is caused by thermal injury to the skin and soft underlying tissues. It occurs in wintertime with extended exposure to the cold. Those at risk are those caught in the elements for extended periods of time and may not have proper clothing or protection (including homeless persons).

• Motorists, runners, hunters, and those participating in winter sports should be aware of warning signs of frostbite. The areas of most concern are the feet, hands, ears, and nose.

• Alcohol intake and smoking increase the risk of frostbite injury.

• The first signs of frostbite injury are redness and numbness followed by swelling and blister formation at 6-24 hours. Seek medical attention immediately if blisters are noted.

• To prevent frostbite, wear layers of clothing in the winter with a waterproof outer layer. Layers can be removed or added as needed.

• Motorist should have a winter emergency survival kit in their car in case they are stranded.  (Source: Ruth Albrecht, RN, St. Elizabeth Burn Center)

Winter Storms: Are You Prepared?

Winter weather brings cold, ice, snow, and high winds to many areas of our country. To help deal with these conditions, the Nebraska Forest Service offers the following advice:

• Know what winter storm WATCHES and WARNINGS mean. A winter storm WATCH means a winter storm is possible in your area. A winter storm WARNING means a winter storm is headed for your area. A blizzard WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are expected.

• Gather essential supplies, including flashlights, a radio, first aid kit, protective clothing and winter wear, canned foods, and at least three gallons of water (preferably more).

• Listen to your radio, the Weather Channel, and local television broadcasts for the latest information about storm conditions.

• Plan to stay at home during bad weather, but if you must drive and become stuck, stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety.

• Use a flashlight if the power is out at home. Do not use candles or other open flames indoors. More people have died after recent winter storms from residential fires caused by candles than from the direct effects of the storm itself.

• Use portable space heating equipment very carefully. Keep heaters at least three feet away from any combustible material, including drapes, carpeting, and furniture. Do not drape gloves, socks, or other clothing over a space heater to dry. Turn space heating equipment off when you are not in the room. Keep children and pets away from heating equipment. Fuel-filled equipment should be filled outdoors when completely cool.

Winter storms can happen quickly and sometimes without warning. The Nebraska Forest Service urges residents to get ready for winter weather now while there is time to prepare.

TALKING POINTS

• Winter Storms can bring ice, snow, and high winds, sometimes without warning.

• Listen for updated information on local radio and TV; plan to stay at home.

• Have essential supplies ---- flashlight, radio, first aid kit, food, and water ---- ready for use at home and also with you if you must be out in the weather.

• If your car gets stuck during a storm, stay with it. Many people die when they try to walk to safety.

Combustible Materials

The best way to eliminate fires caused by combustibles is to eliminate the unnecessary combustibles from your household. Undertake a general housecleaning. Get rid of all unnecessary things that could give fire a place to start - such as greasy or oily rags, paint, wood, paper, and other general rubbish. Check your attic, closets, and basements for all combustibles.

Pay particular attention to aerosol cans and their contents. Store in a safe, cool, dry space. Read and heed the instructions for storage on can.

 

Bob E. Vogltance
Fire Resource Manager
Nebraska Forest Service/Fire Control
491 South Colfax Street
West Point, NE 68788
(402) 372-5665