How to Burn Debris Safely, Part Two – Preparing the Burn Site

AFTER we’ve gotten our burn permit from Chief Mary Ann (see “How to Burn Debris Safely – Part One”), we’ll prepare our burn site so that an ember, flame, or radiant heat doesn’t reach nearby vegetation and possibly start a fire that may quickly get out of control.

With safety the number one priority, we’ll make sure our vertical clearance is three or more times higher than the pile we plan to burn. Just because we can’t see radiant heat above the flames leaping several feet into the air, it doesn’t mean it’s not there … and it doesn’t mean it won’t go even higher. For that reason, we’ll check to make sure there aren’t any power lines or overhanging limbs above the burn site. We’ll also move vehicles well away from the burn area and make sure the burn site is nowhere near the house or outbuildings.

Taking fire very seriously, we’ll clear a minimum of ten feet in diameter around our burn pile or barrel, and we’ll make sure the debris pile or barrel is surrounded by nothing more than soil or gravel. We’ll also water the area around the burn site before we light the debris, and we’ll make sure we have a fire extinguisher or hose AND a shovel handy – just in case.

Right about now you’re probably thinking, “First of all, this sounds like an awful lot of work, and second – who is this we you keep talking about?”, but a well-prepared burn site will reduce the possibility of regret once that piles goes up in flames. I’m pretty sure we’ll … okay … you’ll be glad you made the effort.

Part three of the “How to Burn Debris Safely” series will discuss the use of a burn barrel and will be posted at a later date.

Posted by Colleen C.

How to Burn Debris Safely – Part One

During the coming months, many of us will be diligent in clearing a defensible space around our homes and outbuildings. Once we’ve gotten those branches, pine needles, brush cuttings and leaves piled high, it won’t be a good idea to just leave them where they lie … not only are they eye sores and great places for snakes to make their homes, but they can be a fire’s best chance to spread.

The first thing we’ll need to do is get a burn permit. This is crucial because on Red Flag Warning days, it’s just too hazardous for burning anything, even in a wood stove or fireplace. Chicago may be the official ‘windy city’, but our winds here in Boncarbo are pretty impressive at times! A nice gust could carry sparks from our burn sites to grass or brush a considerable distance away, and then we could be in big trouble. Not only will we have to deal with the fire damage and possible injuries, but we could get slapped with a fine for the illegal burn.

To get a burn permit we’ll need to call Mary Ann Herzog, Fire Chief of the Bon Carbo Volunteer Fire Department, at 846-8538 to make the request. If she’s unable to answer, we can leave a message – she’ll call back as soon as possible.

If a permit has been issued to us in the past, Chief Mary Ann will be able to give verbal approval over the phone. If this is a first request, she’ll schedule an appointment to inspect our burn site and, if it’s safe, issue the physical burn permit then.

It’s illegal to burn pretty much anything other than what we’ve cleared from trees or shrubs, so we’ll have to forget about torching those old tires or that stack of plastic bottles and containers we’ve been meaning to take to the landfill. Besides, some of those things give off toxic fumes when burned.

How to Burn Debris Safely, Part Two will cover how to prepare the burn site and will be posted at a later date.

Posted by Colleen C.