Disposing of wood ashes without burning down your house

This article comes to us from Larry Blanchard, long-time Shoreline resident and former Shoreline Fire Marshal & Acting Shoreline Fire Chief, Snohomish County Fire Marshal & then a Private Fire Investigator. 

He says "I have seen hundreds of fires started from improper disposal of wood stove/fireplace ashes during my career. And as the economy sinks to new lows, more and more people heat with wood."

HOW DO I SAFELY DISPOSE OF FIREPLACE ASHES?

Improper ash removal from fireplaces and wood burning stoves cause thousands of fires every year. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 9870 house fires were caused yearly (1994-1998 statistics) due to improperly discarded ashes.

Hot coals, hidden in a pile of ashes and thus well insulated, can stay hot for up to 4 days. Ancient man actually transported fire by carrying hot coals, insulated by ashes and wrapped in animal skins, from one location to another. When arriving at the next home site, rekindling a fire was easy: remove the still-hot coal, place it on a small pile of leaves and twigs, blow on the hot ember, and restart the fire.

Keep in mind that fires are still started this way, but too often it's an accidental fire. Never empty ashes into a paper or plastic bag, cardboard box, or other similar container. The only suitable means for ash storage is a metal container with a tight fitting lid; this helps keep air from blowing through and disturbing ashes which can leave hot coals exposed for reignition. Many home fires begin from improperly stored ashes while the home's occupants are asleep, as the evening breeze intensifies.

This ASH HOD features legs to raise the container above the floor and metal lid. 

For optimum safety, wet the wood ashes prior to attaching the metal lid to the pail. DO NOT store your metal ash container on your deck, in your garage, or in any location that may allow heat to transfer from those hot coals to nearby flammable items. Untold wooden decks catch fire every year due to this simple oversight.

CAN YOUR ASHES

Northern Virginia's Fairfax County has begun a homeowner safety awareness program called "Can Your Ashes" in an effort to reduce the hundreds of thousands of dollars in home damages caused each year by fireplace and wood stove ashes that have been improperly handled. Help spread the word in your community too!

FINAL DISPOSAL

Wood ash, once completely cooled, can safely be disposed of in your garden because natural firewood ash makes a great soil additive that your plants will enjoy. Just make sure you have removed any mulching materials such as dried leaves and other dried plants first, so there's nothing to catch fire in your garden. Spray the dispersed ashes with water as an added safety precaution. Do not add ashes to your soil if you burn coal, or ashes from burned wood that was painted, stained or treated with any chemicals as these chemicals may be harmful to your soil and plants.

And remember: Can Your Ashes!