News
Grand Junction Firefighters Warn: Backyard Grilling Fires Are Avoidable
<p data-start="337" data-end="624">A cookout can go from fun to frantic in a flash—and Grand Junction’s fire crews are reminding residents that a grill, for all its charm, is still an open flame. Every year, a few backyard fires break out because someone didn’t take the right precautions. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough.</p>
<p data-start="626" data-end="795">This summer, the Grand Junction Fire Department (GJFD) is urging people to take grilling safety seriously—because the most common mistakes are also the most preventable.</p>
<h2 data-start="797" data-end="836">A Few Fires a Year Is Still Too Many</h2>
<p data-start="838" data-end="1109">Dirk Clingman, the department’s Public Information Officer, says they see it happen more often than people think. A grill too close to a fence. Still-hot coals dumped into a trash can. Grease buildup lighting up like a bonfire. It&#8217;s all pretty routine—and also avoidable.</p>
<p data-start="1111" data-end="1318">“Most of the grill fires we respond to each year are due to improper use,” Clingman said. “It’s either a flammable surface that’s too close, or someone didn’t let their charcoal cool before throwing it out.”</p>
<p data-start="1320" data-end="1414">The fires might not make headlines, but they make a mess of patios and sometimes damage homes.</p>
<p data-start="1416" data-end="1496">And honestly, who wants to explain to their neighbor why half the fence is gone?</p>
<p data-start="1416" data-end="1496"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13069" src="https://budgyapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/backyard-grilling-fire-safety-grand-junction-colorado.jpg" alt="backyard grilling fire safety grand junction colorado" width="792" height="488" /></p>
<h2 data-start="1498" data-end="1526">Grease, Gas and Bad Ideas</h2>
<p data-start="1528" data-end="1707">Gas grills may seem safer than charcoal, but they’re not fireproof. In fact, they come with their own set of risks. Grease fires are a big one. So are leaking propane connections.</p>
<p data-start="1709" data-end="1920">Clingman explained the basics in plain terms: “With propane grills, it’s about checking that the connections aren’t leaking. And always clean up grease or fat buildup. That stuff can catch and spread real fast.”</p>
<p data-start="1922" data-end="2012">For charcoal users, the rule is simpler: stick to proper lighter fluid. No gasoline. Ever.</p>
<p data-start="2014" data-end="2117">It sounds like common sense, but fire crews say you’d be surprised how often shortcuts lead to trouble.</p>
<p data-start="2119" data-end="2172">One-sentence reminder: Gasoline and grills don’t mix.</p>
<h2 data-start="2174" data-end="2209">So, What Should You Actually Do?</h2>
<p data-start="2211" data-end="2340">Firefighters don’t just wag fingers—they offer real, workable advice that makes grilling safer without sucking the joy out of it.</p>
<p data-start="2342" data-end="2423">If you’re lighting up this weekend, here are the tips GJFD wants you to remember:</p>
<ul data-start="2425" data-end="2813">
<li data-start="2425" data-end="2535">
<p data-start="2427" data-end="2535">Keep the grill at least 10 feet from any flammable surface (think fences, siding, awnings, patio furniture).</p>
</li>
<li data-start="2536" data-end="2606">
<p data-start="2538" data-end="2606">Always have a fire extinguisher or water source nearby—just in case.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="2607" data-end="2665">
<p data-start="2609" data-end="2665">Never leave the grill unattended. Even for “just a sec.”</p>
</li>
<li data-start="2666" data-end="2724">
<p data-start="2668" data-end="2724">Don’t grill indoors or in garages, even with open doors.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="2725" data-end="2813">
<p data-start="2727" data-end="2813">Check weather conditions—especially wind. It can carry embers where they don’t belong.</p>
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</ul>
<p data-start="2815" data-end="2959">These might sound like small things, but they matter. A sudden gust of wind can flip a burger—and blow a spark onto dry grass or patio cushions.</p>
<h2 data-start="2961" data-end="3003">“We’re Not Trying to Ruin the Barbecue”</h2>
<p data-start="3005" data-end="3182">Clingman knows the department’s advice can come off as overly cautious, but he insists the goal isn’t to make people nervous. It’s to keep them grilling safely, all season long.</p>
<p data-start="3184" data-end="3344">“This isn’t about scaring people away from grilling,” he said. “It’s about being smart. Because we’d rather see you flip burgers than have to douse your porch.”</p>
<p data-start="3346" data-end="3486">Still, he added, some fires have caused injuries and property damage over the years. It’s not just burnt hot dogs they’re trying to prevent.</p>
<p data-start="3488" data-end="3565">One-liner worth repeating: You can enjoy the sizzle without starting a scene.</p>
<h2 data-start="3567" data-end="3618">Firefighters See the Aftermath—You Don’t Want To</h2>
<p data-start="3620" data-end="3851">The GJFD doesn’t release detailed numbers every year, but Clingman confirmed they’ve handled multiple grill-related fires in the last few summers. The numbers might sound low, but behind each one is a real person with real regrets.</p>
<p data-start="3853" data-end="4092">Sometimes it’s a burnt-down fence. Other times it’s melted siding, scorched patios, or worst of all—injuries. And it all started with something like a forgotten match, a faulty valve, or a kid left alone near the grill for “just a minute.”</p>
<p data-start="4094" data-end="4161">“You don’t think it’ll happen to you until it does,” Clingman said.</p>
<p data-start="4163" data-end="4210">Even experienced grillers have had close calls.</p>
<h2 data-start="4212" data-end="4247">The Basics That Are Easy to Miss</h2>
<p data-start="4249" data-end="4364">Grilling might feel like second nature to some, but even seasoned backyard chefs can miss a step or get complacent.</p>
<p data-start="4366" data-end="4402">And that’s when stuff goes sideways.</p>
<p data-start="4404" data-end="4474">Here’s a quick breakdown of common mistakes firefighters say they see:</p>
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<th data-start="4476" data-end="4493" data-col-size="sm">Common Mistake</th>
<th data-start="4493" data-end="4511" data-col-size="md">Why It’s Risky</th>
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<tbody data-start="4548" data-end="4880">
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<td data-start="4548" data-end="4584" data-col-size="sm">Grill too close to house or fence</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="4584" data-end="4620">Flames can catch nearby surfaces</td>
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<tr data-start="4621" data-end="4686">
<td data-start="4621" data-end="4659" data-col-size="sm">Using gasoline or improper starters</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="4659" data-end="4686">Explosive ignition risk</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4687" data-end="4761">
<td data-start="4687" data-end="4714" data-col-size="sm">Leaving grill unattended</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="4714" data-end="4761">Fire can spread quickly without supervision</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4762" data-end="4821">
<td data-start="4762" data-end="4784" data-col-size="sm">Not cleaning grease</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="4784" data-end="4821">Grease fires are fast and intense</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4822" data-end="4880">
<td data-start="4822" data-end="4853" data-col-size="sm">Disposing hot coals too soon</td>
<td data-col-size="md" data-start="4853" data-end="4880">Trash fires, yard fires</td>
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<p data-start="4882" data-end="4987">Nobody’s trying to make grilling complicated. But ignoring the simple stuff can—and does—lead to trouble.</p>
<h2 data-start="4989" data-end="5030">Final Thought: Check Twice, Light Once</h2>
<p data-start="5032" data-end="5136">The vibe GJFD is going for isn’t “stop having fun.” It’s more like, “Have fun—and don’t torch the deck.”</p>
<p data-start="5138" data-end="5242">As Clingman put it, a few quick checks could be the difference between a good meal and a really bad day.</p>
<p data-start="5244" data-end="5305">“It’s not about perfection,” he said. “It’s about attention.”</p>
<p data-start="5307" data-end="5437">That means inspecting propane lines, double-checking charcoal disposal, and making sure someone always keeps an eye on the flames.</p>
<p data-start="5439" data-end="5525">Because summer is long—and it’s a lot more enjoyable when the fire stays in the grill.</p>