In the News - April 2009
Caution urged in heating with storm-damaged wood
LITTLE ROCK - Many Arkansans in north-central Arkansas are cleaning up their
property after a tornado and probably wondering if they can use some of limbs
and other debris for firewood.
"Before you toss them in your fireplace or wood stove, keep in mind certain
safety considerations," says Dr. Tamara Walkingstick, forester with the
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
One important consideration is creosote buildup in chimneys. Creosote is
created by volatile gases and vapors from wood burning.
"As gases are carried up the chimney or smokestack, some will condense onto
the cooler surfaces inside the chimney and form creosote, a combustible
material," Walkingstick says. "If can build up to a dangerous level and catch
fire, causing damage to the chimney. It can also ignite nearby combustible
materials."
All tree species will deposit creosote when burned, she says, but certain
species such as pine produce more creosote because of their high resin content.
Homeowners should not burn recently cut wood. Green wood will deposit more
creosote than wood dried for at least six months. Walkingstick says a
smoldering, low-temperature fire - such as one produced by burning green wood or
wet wood - will create more creosote than a roaring, high-temperature fire
because the hotter fire burns more of the volatile gases. Homeowners can
minimize creosote problems by:
- Burning only thoroughly dried wood
- Making small hot fires instead of large smoldering fires
- Cleaning the chimney and wood-burning smokestacks frequently
Walkingstick advises care in burning wood scraps.
"Although wood scraps can be very good fuel for stoves or fireplaces," she
says, "Some wood is treated with chemicals that can be toxic when burned. Never
burn wood scraps which have been treated with wood preservatives or inorganic
salts. And don’t burn treated fence posts for the same reason.
For more information about using storm-damage wood or clearing debris from
your property safely, contact your county extension agent or go to
www.uaex.edu and select Natural Resources, then Forestry,
Ice Storm Damaged Wood. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A
Division of Agriculture.
April 13, 2009
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialists
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187
ljames@uaex.edu
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