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Tips for Fireplace Safety
A beautiful fireplace with crackling flames
...what a cheerful place to share a dreamy night of romance, read a good book in a cozy chair, or gather around with family and friends.
Here are a few things to know Before you spark up the logs:
Burn Seasoned Hardwoods
Green wood produces more creosote, a flammable by-product of combustion that can build up in the chimney. Our firewood is perfectly seasoned for you!
Open the Damper Before Starting the Fire
Seems obvious, but be sure to double-check! Keep the damper open until the fire is completely extinguished.
Keep an Eye On It & Give it Space
Never leave a fire unattended, and don’t go to sleep with a fire blazing away. Be sure to use a screen, and teach children to stay at least 3 feet away. Keep a watchful eye on young children and pets! Make sure tools, matches, and lighters are put away safely so they don’t get into young, curious hands. Some fireplace safety accessories you should always have nearby are a fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector, and a smoke detector.
Only Burn Wood
Wrapping paper, shiny bows, and foam peanuts - release toxic fumes. Crates, lumber, construction scraps, painted wood, or other treated wood releases chemicals too. Evergreen boughs and large quantities of paper can flare up and quickly get out of control.
Don't Overload
A roaring fire looks attractive, but a slower, steadier burn is safer.
Build It Right
Place logs at the rear of the fireplace on a metal grate. Use kindling, rather than flammable liquids, to start the fire.
Use a Spark Guard
Prevent shooting embers with a mesh metal screen. Glass fireplace doors work well too, especially if you leave the room, but if you want to enjoy the heat, you’ll need to open them.
Keep it Clean & Prevent Chimney Fires
Minimize the buildup of soot and creosote by burning seasoned wood. Clean the firebox between fires - scoop up cool ashes and place them in a metal container. Schedule a professional chimney Inspection and cleaning annually.
Keep the Fireplace Area Clean and Clear
If embers spark out of the fireplace and into the room, you want to make sure there is nothing nearby that will catch fire.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy
And a Carbon-Monoxide Detector Is A Safety Must-Have.
Have a Chimney Cap Installed
It will prevent objects, rain, and snow from falling into your chimney, and reduce downdrafts.
firewood tip!
Don't Stack Firewood Against Your House
WHY?
Fire Danger: Wood is highly flammable, and stacked against your home, could potentially be ignited by sparks from a nearby fire pit, patio fireplace, chimenea, or even your grill.
Pests: Firewood against your house is like rolling out the red carpet for insects, rodents or reptiles to invade your home. At the very least, you’re providing a habitat or a pathway for critters.
Excess Moisture: Stacking firewood against any structure limits air-circulation. Even though our firewood is dry and cured before you stack it there, moisture in the form of rain, snow, or humidity will be trapped within the woodpile, potentially causing rot.
Store your firewood in an area that’s slightly off the ground and dry. This may mean covering the wood with a tarp or storing it in a sheltered site.
Light My Fire?
How can I get Eucalyptus wood to light?
Eucalyptus fires can be a challenge to light, but once lit, it burns long, clean and hot, saving you trips to refill your fireplace. Our best advice...first use Pine! Get a small pile of pine wood lit and burning, and wait until you have some coals. (It won't take long!) Then begin adding your Eucalyptus a couple of pieces at a time. Soon you will have a beautiful fire that you will enjoy for hours.
I heard Pine is a dirty wood and no good for burning.
Pine is easy to light, burns quickly and smells great. Our pine is properly seasoned, which eliminates the wet, sticky sap that causes issues. Properly seasoned pine works great for lighting hardwoods too.
I'm concerned about creosote if I use my fireplace.
Creosote forms when your fire is not hot enough, and the wood is damp. Any wood you burn must be properly seasoned so your fire will burn hot and clean. Firewood in Tucson has locally sourced wood, perfectly seasoned in our own lumber yard. We never buy wood from other sources.
SEND US YOUR FIREWOOD QUESTIONS!
We'd love to hear from you. Use our Contact Form or go to our Facebook Page to post questions.
Here Are a Few DIY Rack Ideas:
Simple Connectors
Simple Connectors
Simple Connectors
Bracket Kit
Simple Connectors
Simple Connectors
You can get this DIY firewood rack bracket kit from ‘Wayfair‘ and then add six 2×4’s to make your own firewood rack in just a few minutes. So simple!
Upcycled
Rolling Rack
Rolling Rack
This rack was simply made using wood pallets and wood braces. See this idea and more here.
Rolling Rack
Rolling Rack
Rolling Rack
This firewood rack can be rolled, making it easy to relocate your firewood access, and for cleaning behind and underneath your firewood too! See the tutorial here.
Fun Facts: Marvelous Mesquite
This Is Harder Than It Looks!
From Arizona Highways Magazine: "Drilling a hole into a mesquite board might look easy, but it’s not. The average surface hardness of mesquite is 2,336 pounds, which is twice that of oak and maple and almost six times as hard as cottonwood. What’s more, the wood often harbors hidden nails, pebbles and bullets. Therefore, mass production of mesquite furniture is out of the question, but the effort pays off — dining room sets sell for almost $20,000".
The Marvelous Mesquite has an amazing centuries-long history!
Mesquite was a major resource for desert tribes of Native Americans, including the Apache, Cahuilla, Maricopa, Yuma, Yavapai, Mohave, Hualapai, and Hope tribes, providing food, shelter, tools, weapons, medicine, trade items, and more. Pima Indians called the mesquite a “Tree of Life”. They intelligently used all parts of the tree including the beans, bean pods, leaves, roots, trunk, limbs, bark, and gum in a number of ways:
Food
Beans were pounded into flour or made into a drink. High in protein and fiber, mesquite flour foods satisfied hunger for hours on end.
Shelter
Mesquite wood was used for homes, roofs and fencing.
Medicine
Tribes used different parts of mesquite for toothaches, sores, burns, chafing and sunburns, and to make lotions and eyewash. Mesquite bark gum was used for upset stomach, food poisoning, and digestion. Mesquite sap helped wounds, coughs and sore throats.
Clothing
Bark fiber was used to make women’s skirts and baby diapers.
Glue
Mesquite bark gum was used to make glue to mend pottery.
Fun & Games
Mesquite fibers were used to make a ball used in a game similar to field hockey.
So there you have it. The Marvelous Mesquite. A wonderful source of fragrant firewood and for cooking the perfect steak, and a part of history for hundreds of years.
Firewood Storage Tips
How and where you stack your firewood is more important than you might think!
A few simple tips will help keep your wood as safe and dry as possible.
Firewood that is stored improperly can become a home to insects, rodents, snakes, mold and fungus! So let’s discover a few tips that will help you properly care for your wood pile.
1. Always stack your firewood in a pattern, with cut ends exposed. Wood that is simply tossed into a bin or a pile doesn’t get proper air circulation, and is prone to critter infestations, mold and fungus - especially in the middle of the pile. Stack your wood like you would stack bricks, or in rows with each layer facing in a different direction. This optimizes airflow, and by overlapping, the stacking will be more stable.
Wood should be stacked loosely, (rather than tightly to save space), allowing air to circulate between each piece.
2. Stack your firewood a few inches above the ground.
Stacking firewood directly on the ground can introduce moisture to your stack. Moisture and the insects that will find their way to your stack causes your firewood to decay faster.
A firewood rack is a great way to keep your wood off the ground. If you don’t have a firewood rack, you can make a foundation from pallets, 2x4s, scrap wood, cinder blocks or bricks. Even a layer of gravel on the ground will help.
3. Keep your wood dry.
Dry firewood is safer and burns better. Damp wood makes more smoke and a less efficient fire. In a fireplace, it also leads to dangerous creosote buildup, and increased levesl of carbon monoxide in your home. Cover your dry wood when it is going to rain or snow (unless you keep it in a shed or under a shelter).
4. Don’t store large amounts firewood indoors.
Bring in only what you plan on burning that day. The convenience of having your firewood close at hand may tempt you to store larger amounts of wood inside, but it is likely that your wood has at least some spiders, termites, ants and other bugs in it, and possible even mice.
5. Don’t stack firewood against your house.
Wood is highly flammable, and stacked against your home, could potentially be ignited by sparks from a nearby fire pit, patio fireplace, chimenea, or even your grill. Besides that, it’s like inviting insects, rodents or snakes to come into your home. At the very least, you’re providing a habitat or a pathway for critters.
Stacking firewood against any wall reduces air circulation and can make your stack retain moisture and grow mold or fungus. If you stack your wood near a shed or fence, make sure to leave at least a few inches between your stack and the structure for better air circulation.
6. Keep firewood storage away from dog runs and play areas.
If you have a small backyard, you may not have many choices about where to stack your firewood. Try to pick the best spot possible to keep your stack away from dog runs and play areas. When stacked properly, your firewood is not likely to topple over, but reduce the risk of your stack falling on your dog or child by stacking it away from areas they frequent.
We would be happy to deliver and stack your firewood for you! Just let us know!
Outdoor Fire Safety Tips
Be Aware of the Weather
Just a little wind can blow burning embers and sparks onto a flammable surface or YOU! Keep extra wood upwind and away from the flames. Also! Be aware of local laws and burning restrictions...here's a link to a website that lists current fire restrictions: https://dffm.az.gov/fire-restrictions.
Choose a Good Spot
Use an existing fire pit that’s contained by a fire ring circled with rocks or blocks if possible, or purchase a fire pit/fire bowl. Make sure your fire is at least fifteen feet away from any tents, trees, bushes or anything else flammable. Avoid areas densely covered with dried grass and leaves, and clear away any flammable material that’s within ten feet of the pit.
Keep the Size Manageable
You don’t want to have to sit 20 feet away, and you’re not signaling NASA for help! Make that firewood last longer, and enjoy a close circle of friends. That’s what’s great about a fire - cozy, fun times with friends and family.
Watch It!
Never leave your fire unattended. Keep an eye on pets and kids - even small embers when wood “pops” can cause serious burns. And it’s good to have a shovel, a bucket of water and some tools for moving burning logs on hand to keep the fire burning well. Here's a link to a tool we love! https://pyroclaw.com
NO ACCELERANTS!
Put that lighter fluid (gas, oil, fuel) away! And while you’re at it, put away all that newspaper too! Think of it as a challenge, to make a beautiful fire without using anything but wood! It’s really not that difficult.
Start building your fire with small sticks and twigs and gradually work your way up to the larger pieces of wood. Leave spaces for air to circulate under the wood. When adding large pieces of wood to the fire, point them inwards and use a tool or another piece of wood to shift them to their desired spot.
Remember the Environment
I know it’s tempting to throw used cups, plates, plastic bags, cans and bottles into the fire for “easy” disposal, BUT this releases toxic fumes and could leave behind pieces with sharp edges. Respect local burning laws by burning only wood and charcoal.
And be sure to put the fire out completely! Coals that aren’t extinguished can inflict burns for 24 hours! Don’t bury them - this can actually keep them hot. Pour water and stir the ashes and embers until you are certain they are all out and cooled.
Firewood Tip!
Stacking Safety
Firewood stacks should be no taller than 4 feet. Any higher and the wood will become unsteady, which then presents a safety issue.
Keep firewood storage away from dog runs and play areas. If you have a small backyard, you may not have many choices about where to stack your firewood. Try to pick the best spot possible to keep your stack away from dog runs and play areas. When stacked properly, your firewood is not likely to topple over, but reduce the risk of your stack falling on your dog or child by stacking it away from areas they frequent.
We would be happy to deliver and stack your firewood for you! Just let us know!
SEE fall colors on Mt. Lemmon
Hooray! Temperatures are starting to cool down in Tucson!
I know, you’re probably not really feeling any fall vibes yet, but in less than a month Mount Lemmon will be showing some beautiful foliage, and having nice, cool weather.
First - stop by the Visitor’s Center for a trail map.
Here are some good spots to check out:
The road near Bear Wallow Campground: You'll see a sign for Bear Wallow Road on your right as you're heading north on Catalina Highway after the Visitor Center.
Butterfly Trail: Butterfly Road is on the left as you head north on Catalina Highway.
Aspen Draw Trail: The Aspen Trail is pretty easy and relaxing to hike.
When you’re ready for a break, stop at Summerhaven for more views of yellow-leafed trees and a bite at Sawmill Run Restaurant or the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin.
Cypress Picnic Area and Box Elder Picnic Area are also nice spots to stop and relax.
You can also spot color by simply driving up Catalina Highway. Lots of changing trees are visible from the main road, but bring a friend so your driving isn't distracted by the pretty colors!
The Top Down (Self-Feeding) Fire
I’ve discovered something about fire building. It’s possible I’ve been doing it wrong my whole life!
We’ve all done it. Place some small stuff to start the fire on top of kindling at the bottom. Then add slightly bigger sticks and branches on top of that, followed by bigger stuff , and finally logs. We light the small stuff, which hopefully catches the bigger stuff on fire. The result? Lots of smoke. Lots of blowing on it. Lots of tending, and finally accelerants if we can’t get it going - right???
What if I told you to turn the whole thing upside down? Sounds crazy, but hear me out.
Place your biggest logs at the bottom, close together in a row. Next, place the middle-sized wood on top of the logs in the opposite direction. Then add small sticks in a centered pile with the smallest kindling and starting material on top. (I prefer dried cedar or pine - that stuff really takes off!)
When you light the starting material, it will ignite the kindling, which burns down onto the smaller wood, and in a few minutes, you’ll have a nice fire going! With a little practice, building a Top Down fire is easy and they burn great!
Of course, properly seasoned firewood is essential for a nice fire without all that stinky smoke. Give us a call, we can get you some great wood!
The Top Down (Self-feeding) Fire. Less smoke, better burning, less tending!
Camping! Great for Body and Soul!
Ahhh...camping. Sunshine, the great outdoors, sitting around the campfire, what great ways to relax and make memories!
Nowadays we tend to spend so much time inside, in stuffy air, sitting on our hineys in front of a screen, moving from one digital distraction to another - it’s actually bad for our health. As I write this - sitting on MY hiney in front of a screen, I’m already dreaming about fresh air, hiking in nature, enjoying foods cooked over a campfire, and stargazing.
Besides the wonderful relaxation that being out in nature provides, I know I’m gonna get lots of great exercise while hiking and shooting photos. I know I’ll sleep better too (and so will the kids!). For the more scientifically inclined, vitamin D production from sunlight exposure and increased serotonin (the happy chemical in our brains), are just 2 great benefits campers experience after spending a few days unplugged from technology and plugged into the great outdoors.
Now I know there are some of you (my spouse included) who hear the word camping, and immediately think of bugs, sunburns, storms and danger! But think of it this way...as kids we camped and experienced some of those bugs and storms and danger, and those became the great stories we love to tell today! Somehow it brings us closer and becomes a bonding experience.
So whether you rough it, stay in a camper or a fully equipped cabin, I think we can all agree that a campfire is essential to the experience. Make sure you have the firewood you need before you make that trip up Mt. Lemmon! We have plenty of wood in our lot, and great prices too.
We’ve put some great articles right here for you...cooking tips for great results on your campfire, along with some recipes. Be sure to review our fire safety tips too. They’ll keep you and your family safe so you can enjoy your campfire to the max.
Time to make plans for my next trip. I can hardly wait!!!!
Real Tree Resources for You!
If you love a real tree and haven't gotten it yet, here are some places you might want to try:
Brian & Kelly's
Four Tucson locations: Broadway at Rosemont Boulevard; Ft. Lowell Road and Campbell Avenue; Cortaro Road and Thornydale Road; and Stone at the Tucson Mall. You can get something small enough to stand on a table or a 14-foot tree to take over your house. Santa Claus will be there to meet with children.
Buckelew Farm Christmas Trees
Pick from four types of firs: Douglas, Grand, Noble and Nordmann. And they deliver! Get details here: https://buckelewchristmastrees.com/
Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus
75 N. Wilmot Rd. on the northwest corner of Broadway and Wilmot. They accept cash, card and check, and they deliver! Some deliveries are available same day.
Other locations Include...
Lowe's, Costco and Home Depot
Where to recycle them after
Recycle your Christmas tree through the City of Tucson's TreeCycle Program from Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 to Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 at any of its nine locations around Tucson. That means you have until Jan. 15 to hold onto Christmas spirit.
Courtesy of This Is Tucson:
thisistucson.com/tucsonlife/5-places-to-buy-your-real-christmas-tree-in-tucson/If customers can’t find it, it doesn’t exist. Clearly list and describe the services you offer. Also, be sure to showcase a premium service.
important! burning restrictions & Fire Safety tips
Arrival of monsoon eases some fire restrictions - know what's happening in your area.
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, GILA DISTRICT
Fire restrictions in some areas have been eased.
BUT! Fire conditions as well as localized closures and restrictions are subject to change. Tribal, federal, state, and local mandates are different and there may be some differences in their year-round regulations and restriction notices. For a more detailed explanation concerning agency restrictions and fire information, please contact the nearest land management agency office where you plan to work or play.
For a full list visit http://wildlandfire.az.gov or call the toll-free Southwest Fire Restrictions Hotline at 1-877-864-6985.
Always practice fire safety.
- Before going hiking or camping, check with public land management agencies for fire regulations, restrictions, or area closures.
- Metal fire rings or grills should be used when available. Wood placed on a fire should never exceed the size of the grill or fire ring.
- When building a fire on the ground, ensure that the area is clear of all flammable materials. Avoid building fires on windy days.
- If you have a campfire, make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving the area. Douse it with water and stir it with a shovel until completely cold to the touch.
- If you are using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grasses and other fine fuels. Ensure it is placed on a level surface to prevent the stove from tipping.
- Cigarettes should never be thrown out the window of a vehicle. Always use an ashtray.
- Practice Leave No Trace principles - don’t leave behind cigarette butts or other burned materials.
- Never park a vehicle over dead grass; the catalytic converter can ignite the vegetation.
- Use caution while discharging a firearm, operating an internal combustion engine, welding, operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame, or using explosives (where permitted).
- Fireworks are always prohibited on federal and state trust lands.