With colder temperatures here to stay (for now), folks who burn wood in fireplaces, backyard firepits and chimeneas are on the hunt for good firewood. Most are undoubtedly aware that in burning wood, they’re literally playing with fire, but might need some additional guidance finding good firewood and using it safely.
A lot of newer homes have built-in, gas-fueled fireplaces, says an official with the Oklahoma City Fire Department’s fire marshal office, but there’s still plenty of demand for firewood, and plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong in outdoor fireplaces, chimeneas and firepits.
“Before you go to bed or leave the house, make sure that the fire is completely out, cool to the touch,” is the advice from Capt. John Chenoweth, assistant public information officer with the Oklahoma City Fire Department, for families with wood-burning fireplaces. “Embers can burn for several hours. Even if you think it’s completely out, it can still burn and potentially cause a house fire.”
Chenoweth also advises making sure any wood being burned indoors is dry – completely – and seasoned. Wood that isn’t completely dry tends to produce a lot of unwelcome smoke inside a residence, he mentions.
The location for storing firewood, whether it’s for an indoor fireplace or an outside firepit or fireplace, chimenea or barbecue grill, should be at least 20 feet from the house.
“Fire piles can attract pests, and can potentially catch fire and set your house on fire,” he shares.
Further, Chenoweth recommends an annual chimney inspection and cleaning.
For wood-burning fireplaces, Chenoweth says that a good metal screen in front of the fireplace can catch any escaping embers.
Riley Coy, Urban Forestry Coordinator for Oklahoma’s Agriculture, Food and Forestry Department, is also adamant about making sure any kind of fire is completely out before leaving the space. Coy’s particular area of emphasis, working for the state in forestry management, is outdoor burning, but the same rules apply indoors.
Regarding campfires, Coy urges attention to the old advice from Smoky Bear about forest fires: Feel what’s left of the embers with the back of your hand. “If you feel heat, bury it with a shovel,” he says.
Coy says many people locate firewood by word of mouth: “I know a guy who knows a guy,” is how he puts it. Firewood can also be found at most big-box retail stores, he mentions.
The most desirable woods to burn are Osage orange and black locust.
“Those are the two hottest burning trees we have in Oklahoma,” he says. Oak and hickory continue to be popular woods, as well. He recommends against burning elm in indoor fireplaces.
“Elm produces a nasty smell,” he says.
Coy mentions that a big problem with firewood is invasive pests, such as the emerald ash bore and the spotted lantern fly, all of which he says travel in firewood. His department’s advice for anyone burning wood outdoors is to “burn it where you find it.”
Chenoweth offers a final word of caution in burning logs inside the home: “Our winter months, not only here but nationwide, are our busiest time for structure fires, and that does include fireplace fires.”
For More Information
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
405-521-3864
ag.ok.gov/divisions/forestry-services
City of Oklahoma City Fire Department
405-297-3314
okc.gov/Services/Public-Safety/Fire
City of Tulsa Fire Department
In Tulsa: 311
Outside Tulsa: 918-596-2100
cityoftulsa.org/government/departments/fire
