Burning Brush

[Xfaxman]

Dennis, I thought you were retired! Looks like another fine effort with your Bobcat and your new day job?

I "retired" 15 years ago, so it is my old day job.

A month after I retired, I told my wife that I was going back to work. I needed the rest. :laughing:

 

[HillStreet]

Hey All,

I am the original poster and will update.

Last November we cleared the site to build a house so we took down apple trees and other trees, then shaped the lot for the house, driveway, and surrounding areas. That resulted in 5 brush piles about the size of those shown in posts 99 and 100. The piles were adjacent to the orchard itself, and about 5 - 10 feet apart. I was concerned about the proximity, thinking it would spread and keep going. Burying would not work because of settling, and hauling out was expensive. So, I got a permit on a rainy day, and lit one pile about 0830. I used some rolled up newspaper, fire starter sticks, diesel fuel, and a fire lighter. Not an issue, lit right up and burned fine. When it was sufficiently burned down, I went to subsequent piles one by one. I did have a charged garden hose and had the Kubota on site to turn as necessary.

They smouldered for a few days because the apple trees were up to 8 inch trunks. But, I tended the piles over the few days and there was not a problem. Then I ordered some topsoil. The delivery driver got nervous and called it in, then I had my new friends from the Fire Dept on site pretty quick. I was getting out of the shower because I was going to the doctor. My wife came into the bathroom telling me how much trouble we were in---gonna get fined, gonna get arrested, etc. she is a wonderful wife but does live within the law at all times.

So, I went out to see the operations chief. He was very cool. No issues at all with me because I obviously tended the piles, was no danger of spread. He said "somebody got nervous". I gave him the keys to the Kubota, said help yourself but I am going to the doctor. I did give them a donation of $200 and thanked them for their work and their service. The piles did burn down but I did haul the tree trunks to an area out of the way to rot.

But, I also had 7 more piles of smaller brush that were stacked by the dozer. I used the Kubota to consolidate down to 3 piles. I got a permit on a rainy day and burnt them.

Final result is a large 1+ acre area that is now ready to plow/till for the pumpkins and garden next year. It was a good idea to burn, but was a little nervous E about the size and proximity of the piles. I like this thread because it gives great ideas and I am thankful for that. Maine had a massive fire in this area in 1947 and they do take brush fires seriously.

I am behind on pictures but over this winter I will get them posted.

 

[roadhunter]

One interesting thing I read recently is that top lighting makes less smoke than bottom lighting when you are dealing with piles of dry brush.
Backyard Biochar: Top Lit Open Burn

 

[Soldier415]

Two years ago I made the mistake of using gas, even though I know better. I was out of diesel and bar and chain oil. Small pile.

Lot of branches leaving voids filled with air, and top layer of pile was mud soaked burlap trapping fumes in the pile.

Waited 20 minutes for vapors to dissipate

Stood a few feet away and tossed a lit matchbook into the bottom of the pile.

WHUMP!

Fireball shot out of the void and set my hair and clothes on fire.

End result was 2nd degree burns over my entire face, head and right hand.

The 20 minutes it took for EMS to arrive was the longest most painful 20 minutes of my life.

Intubated me at the hospital which I woke up during but was paralyzed.

Never, ever use gas.

 

[roadhunter]

Thanks for the reminder. Easy to get in trouble with gas no doubt.

 

[Soldier415]

Thanks for the reminder. Easy to get in trouble with gas no doubt.

I post my story when the subject comes up. We all at one point do something we know we shouldnt because "I know what i'm doing" and "it won't happen to me".

Yes, it can happen to you, even if you know what you are doing and it ain't worth it. The recovery pain was worse than the initial burn pain.

 

[Wakey]

I post my story when the subject comes up. We all at one point do something we know we shouldnt because "I know what i'm doing" and "it won't happen to me". Yes, it can happen to you, even if you know what you are doing and it ain't worth it. The recovery pain was worse than the initial burn pain.

You're a good man for sharing your misfortune in order to save someone else.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

We may get some rain in the next few days so I may burn some of my brush piles. The piles are dry, stacked since fall. My question is how should I light the piles? The actual brush is small with some larger limbs 4 inch or so. One pile is about 16 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 5 feet high. I have good clearance and will have a hose out there, and will have a permit.

I use a 500,000 BTU weed burner set on high flaming away until the the fire can take on a life of its own.

It is about the only way to reliably start a fire in the cold and snow.

 

[turnkey4099]

I post my story when the subject comes up. We all at one point do something we know we shouldnt because "I know what i'm doing" and "it won't happen to me".

Yes, it can happen to you, even if you know what you are doing and it ain't worth it. The recovery pain was worse than the initial burn pain.

And then there are the "I told you so"s

 

[dragoneggs]

I use a 500,000 BTU weed burner set on high flaming away until the the fire can take on a life of its own.

It is about the only way to reliably start a fire in the cold and snow.

Yep... what I use along with some dirty motor oil.