As colder weather arrives in the Central Valley, Modesto firefighters are urging residents to take precautions to prevent home fires this winter. According to Capt. Joe Spani of the Modesto Fire Department, while cooking is the leading cause of home fires year-round, the use of heaters and fireplaces during winter adds another layer of risk.
“Cooking fires are our number one cause of home fires year-round,” Spani said. “In the winter we see an increase in heating-related events — fireplaces, chimneys and space heaters.”
Firefighters often respond to kitchen fires caused by unattended cooking or grease flare-ups, especially during holiday gatherings. Spani advised, “If you have a grease fire, don’t add water to it. Cover it or use baking soda.” He explained that adding water can cause oil to splatter and flames to spread.
There is also an uptick in incidents involving space heaters each winter. Many cases involve improper use such as plugging heaters into power strips or placing them too close to combustible materials like bedding or furniture. “They need to be three feet away from anything that’s combustible,” Spani said. “And plug them directly into the wall — no extension cords, no power strips.” He warned that space heaters draw significant electricity and extension cords can overheat quickly. Residents are also cautioned not to run space heaters while sleeping or when no one is home.
The first use of furnaces each season frequently results in emergency calls due to dust and lint burning off units and producing a smoke smell. Spani noted, “It’s perfectly normal to have some smell of smoke the first time you use your heater. But if there’s any doubt, call 911.”
Holiday decorations present additional hazards when outlets are overloaded or old light strings are used unsafely. “Read the instructions on the lights — the labels tell you how many strings you can safely connect,” Spani said.
Chimney and fireplace issues pose particular dangers in older homes or rural areas where wood-burning stoves are common. Before using fireplaces for the first time each season, Spani recommends cleaning and inspection: “Before you use your fireplace the first time of the year, make sure it’s cleaned and inspected.” He explained that creosote buildup inside chimneys can ignite if not removed, potentially spreading fire into attics through cracks: “Cracks inside a chimney can let fire get into your attic,” he said.
A major concern for firefighters is homes without working smoke alarms: “Smoke alarms are extremely important — they’re the early alert system, especially at night,” according to Spani.
To address this issue locally, Modesto Fire operates a free smoke detector installation program with support from the American Red Cross; residents may call 209-572-9590 for assistance installing new alarms and receiving safety checks from firefighters.
Improper storage of propane tanks and gasoline cans also increases fire risks by accelerating blazes if ignited indoors or near open flames such as those found on water heaters in garages. Spani advised storing these items outside living spaces: “Keep them out of your house… If you don’t have a shed, keep them at least 10 feet from your home.”
Fires related to lithium-ion batteries—common in e-bikes, scooters, power tools and toys—are becoming more frequent as well. Proper charging practices include monitoring devices while charging and unplugging chargers promptly after full charge: “Only charge them when you’re home, and unplug them as soon as they’re fully charged… Never use extension cords or power strips for those chargers,” Spani added.
Spani emphasized one essential safety step above all others for winter preparedness: “The biggest winter safety advice I can give is: check your smoke detectors, replace the batteries, and make sure everything’s working.”
