Burning Poison Ivy

[El Wood]

Hey guys... I'm currently in the process of clearing a few acres of brush. After using my tractor, my friend brought in his dozer for the heavy stuff. He ended up making a couple big piles for me to burn. As I was looking closer at the piles, I started wondering if poison ivy could be in them. I've read that burning poison ivy is very dangerous and can even be fatal.

Is there a safe way to burn poison ivy? Can you wear a mask and goggles?

Here is one of the piles...

 

[murphy1244]

Stay upwind

 

[Marveltone]

I would never go anywhere near a pile of burning poison Ivy. That's very dangerous and just plain nasty! I just spray mine and let it rot where it sits. If it's in a bunch of other wood and brush that really needs to be burned, make sure you stay upwind of it. You DO NOT want that smoke to get in your lungs!

Joe

 

[dolai]

Don't.

If you must, HEPA/carbon filter (yellow/purple) on a full-face respirator. The main hazard is inhalation of airborne urushiol.

 

[Piperflyer]

A friend of the family almost died because she inhaled poison ivy while burning it. She got it internally and was hospitalized for days

 

[DT86]

If at all possible I wait several months (sometimes almost a year) after building a brush pile before burning it. This gives time for everything to dry out, including the Poison Ivy. Never had a problem... so far.

My Great Grandmother also almost died from inhaling smoke from some Poison Ivy. It was before my time but she always told the cautionary tale.

 

[MacLawn]

Yes, bad stuff, be careful. I'd figure out something, research if it can indeed be burned when dried out.

 

[BobRip]

It can affect others in the area. Evacuate the area. Actually don't burn it.

 

[ShaneG]

Letting it dry out good helps it start faster and burn faster. Old friend said big flames will help push the smoke up and away. That's what you want.

 

[pclausen]

If one is imune to poison ivy (as I am) as far as getting a rash/blisters from touching it, does that also make one imune to the smoke, or are the 2 not related?