Break out the chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers. Burn season is just around the corner.
The turn to fall brings about thoughts of bonfires and s'mores while the season provides natural kindling with the falling leaves.
Jefferson City's burn season starts Monday and runs until March 1, 2022. During this time, area residents can burn yard waste, such as leaves, small branches and grass clippings, during the day.
But fires must be attended at all times.
Jason Turner, division chief of prevention with the Jefferson City Fire Department, said safety should be the first priority when burning yard waste, as with any other fire.
"Safety's first and foremost the most important thing; making sure that we're doing it safely, that we're not creating any risk for our neighbors or ourselves," he said.
Turner advised those who burn yard waste to be aware of their surroundings, never leave the fire burning without somebody to supervise it and have supplies such as a hose and rake to help put the fire out if the wind picks up.
"Be a good neighbor," he said. "We're going to experience some warm days where people are going to have the windows open.
"Being a good neighbor is crucial because if somebody is at work and they come home at lunch and find their house full of smoke because somebody is burning - yeah, that's probably unavoidable.
"But at the same time, knowing that on those nice warm days, people in your neighborhood are going to have their windows open and maybe we should wait and burn on a day when it's probably not that nice," he said.
Turner also recommended burning small piles instead of a single larger one so it's easier to control.
He said people should "make sure that they watch the National Weather Service's recommendations for if there's a red flag (warning). We tell people not to burn on red flag days simply because of the risk."
The National Weather Service out of St. Louis issues red flag warnings on days with warm temperatures, low humidities and strong winds, which can increase the risk of fire damage. The fire department may also issue a no-burn order at any point if staff deems conditions hazardous.
Turner stressed the fire needs to be extinguished by dark.
"Not smoldering, not left to burn out," he said. "Fires must be extinguished at dark."
Those who don't want to burn yard waste can take it to the compost facility for free at 2417 South Ridge Drive.