Try to burn ditches when the wind is blowing away from the road. Crew preparation Make sure everyone helping with the burn knows their responsibilities during the burn and if the fire escapes. Avoid burning at night Darkness mixed with smoke is dangerous for drivers. Night fires also appear more severe than they are and result in more false alarms. Electrical power lines Electrical power lines can pose special hazards.
Smoke consists of carbon particles, which can conduct electricity.
If there's enough carbon concentration, an electrical discharge from the line to the ground, similar to lightning, can occur. Such discharges have killed firefighters. Fire fronts should not be allowed to cross under power lines, light the fire parallel to the line, and watch wind direction.