Firewood safety
Greetings,
Is it safe to burn firewood or kindling that was stored outside, uncovered during last summer's wildfires? Just wondering if the ash contains harmful toxins that would present a health hazard if wood is used in fireplaces or inserts.
Thank you!
Joan Hurley
Corvallis
Benton County Oregon
2 Responses
Hello, my understanding is that the wood is fine to burn, but the issue may be the residual ash that covered everything. You should use a dust mask when handling the wood at the pile to avoid breathing any of the residual ash on the wood, and I would also suggest knocking off the ash by banging the wood or using a blower. Again, the main issue is breathing the ash. Avoid that, and don't transport the ash into the house.
Thank you so much--that is very helpful, and much appreciated!
Best regards,
Joan Hurley
Corvallis