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The snow has finally melted and the flood risk has disappeared in the upper St. John River valley. But this time of year natural hazards are replaced with a man-made one - a homeowner armed with matches that decides it is time to burn their grass.

Every spring volunteer fire fighters, who undoubtedly have better things to do with their time, spend numerous evenings and weekends responding to residents who decide to burn their grass and the blaze gets out of control. It is a continual source of frustration for small municipal fire departments, who have limited manpower and equipment resources, to fight needless grass fires.

Grass fires are not only a nuisance, but in many cases illegal. Most municipalities have by-laws prohibiting grass fires. Rural properties outside incorporated municipalities have to have a Department of Natural Resources permit, which require written burn plans and an inspection of the area to be burned. Many small grass fires spread to nearby agricultural and forested lands. Woodlands are especially vulnerable this time of year with dead materials can easily go up in flames. People who deliberately set grass fires that destroy a wooded area can be on the hook for thousands of dollars in fire fighting expenses and property damage.

Seeing green grass poking up through a blackened yard or field may seem to hastened spring's arrival, but grass fires are not worth it. Keep the matches away from tinder dry grass this season and make everyone's life easier.