Fall fire
season in full swing Forest Service urges safe disposal
of woodstove ash
By Melanie Davis
As the weather turns colder, it is time to fire up the
wood-burning stove.
N.C. Forest Service ranger Rudy Johnson, warns homeowners about
the dangers of improper ash disposal. There have been two fires
in two weeks directly related to ash disposal.
On Oct. 31, approximately one acre burned in the Harbin Road area
of Zionville. A second fire was reported on Nov. 10, a small area,
approximately one tenth of an acre, burned in Foscoe off of Tweetsie
Trail. Both were caused by ashes from a wood stove having been
dumped outside before being extinguished.
“In speaking with some of the county’s firefighters,
we are very concerned that this type of incident will be more
frequent this year,” Johnson said. “The price of fuel
is prompting more homeowners to heat with wood-burning stoves.
It is important to dispose of the ashes safety to protect homes
and property.”
Embers within the ashes can remain hot for up to three days, Johnson
said. Depending on the size of an ash pile, hot coals may be two
to three inches deep, under a layer of cool ash. When dumped outside,
the embers continue to burn within the pile. A breeze can blow
off the layers of extinguished ash to reveal hot coals, which
are capable of starting a fire in grass and woodland areas hours
or days after the homeowner dumps the ash.
Johnson said there are only two ways to safely dispose of wood-stove
ash. Homeowners may place the ashes into a metal bucket, add water
and stir to fully extinguish any embers before disposal. The second
way to prevent a fire sparking is to dig a hole, large enough
to completely bury the ash pile, and cover the ashes with the
fresh soil and pack down.
The county is currently in the middle of fall fire season, a time
of year in which the risk for wildfire increases. Improper ash
disposal can lead to a fire that spreads quickly during the fall
conditions.
Johnson explained the fall fire season has many factors. During
the fall, vegetation is transitioning from a green, growing stage
to a brown, dormant stage. This means less moisture in grasses
and undergrowth.
Leaves on the ground create a two-fold, fire conducive environment.
The lack of leafy canopy allows sun exposure to the forest floor,
drying out the fallen leaves much faster. The leaves act as a
layer of fuel if a wildfire begins.
Watauga County remains listed in severe drought, according to
the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council adding to fire conditions.
In light of the current fire risks, Johnson urges homeowners to
be extremely careful with stove ashes. “Residents should
use only the two safe methods of disposal and never store ashes
in a garage or by the door for later disposal,” he said.
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