Burn Piles for Beginners

[California]

I learned something from a neighbor: He starts his burn pile by igniting newspaper inside a cardboard box, about a cubic foot size, that was saturated with a half cup of diesel. The box is as far under the pile as possible.

This is immune to drafts in the first few moments, unlike a fire started under twigs.

By the time the fire burns through the box it is a great torch that ignites everything near it as it continues to burn.

 

[Ken45101]

It may be too late/too early. I'm not sure, but I think Ohio prohibits such burning March through June.

A lot of people make a mistake in spring. The ground is wet, but old weeds and vegetation are dried out and field fires take off fast! I used to be on a rural fire department and this was our busiest time. I remember one Sunday with 7 field fire runs Ground was too wet to bring the trucks in but the weeds were plenty dry.

If there is dried grass or weeds within 200', I would say do not burn it unless it is raining.

Keep some brooms or shovels handy to beat out any fire spread. Or better yet, a garden hose if you can reach the area and well beyond (borrow hose if you need to). Use the hose to keep the main fire under control and to stop any hotspots that spread.

Don't do it on a breezy day!

Ken

 

[Egon]

Wait until the winter solstice. December 21st, check the local exact time.

Did you notice any black cars in the neighborhood?:laughing:

 

[eepete]

The Fire Department can tell you all the local rules (permits, days you can burn, when you can light the fire, any other restrictions). I burn when there is a light rain or we've had a light snow, sometimes have to wait a few months. The wait is OK, too many people try to burn when the pile is green. If you can't wait, don't burn if the relative humidity is under 40%. It will take the area under the pile a few seasons to get back to normal, mixing in some dirt from around the pile area 2 weeks or so later can help. Be sure there is a nice clear area (minimum 10-15 feet) around the pile. Trees should be 30' or more away so that they don't get damaged. This is another good reason to burn in the rain or drizzle and in no to low winds.

For starting, I find an area in the pile where the brush is dense. I pour used hydraulic fluid over the area, usually about half a gallon to a gallon. Watch it carefully to be sure it's not going on the ground too much. I go for about a 3' x 3' area. Most places require you to use a "clean" fuel such a diesel (i.e. used engine oil is not permitted). I like the hydraulic fluid because it soaks into the wood better than diesel. If you don't have hydraulic fluid than use diesel, and the next time you change your fluid your tractor, save two gallons. I do this pour the night before, then cover the area with a tarp. The day of the burn, I pour on another half gallon, put some news paper in there. Remove the tarp and light it. You might have to sling a few more cups in there, but usually if the wood is dry enough it has absorbed enough oil that it will burn just fine. The smaller area you have set on fire will then spread to the rest of the pile.

A leaf blower can help spread the fire in a specific direction. I'd have a few drywall buckets about half full available just in case. If you can get a hose to it, do it. Have a shovel and a rake too. If the pile is loosely packed, have a chain saw ready. The chain you use will become your "dirty" chain because cutting the charred wood is hard on the chain. I've used my loader to push a pile that's on fire together, but my rule is that the front tires never go on ground that has had burning fire on it. Most of the time it is for pushing in those handful of big pieces that were sticking out of the fire.

Be prepared to be there all day, and maybe into the night. If you've got debris around the place you've always wanted to clean up, while you're hanging around go get it and toss it in. Makes the day more productive and less boring. Tell adjacent land owners what you are up to. You'll need to check the area every day for a couple of days. You can probably push the ashes together with your FEL at 24 hours after the burn (and maybee even the next day too) so that any big chunks can burn down. Don't drive into the middle of it, just push the sides in by about 2-3' per day. It will take a week for everything to be truly out, so if weather changes you might put water on the pile and then spread the area out. Just think about the size of the pile, what's in there, the weather conditions, and the like. The more piles you burn the better your "common sense" will be. If you're unsure, start with a small 6' diameter pile.

Burning in the woods over an area you've just cleared is very tricky. If at all possible, burn in an established open area. The goal here is to not set roots on fire that can can cause problems 10 days later.

And do NOT use a tire to start a fire! Just about everywhere it's illegal, every time it's happened here there is a fine and you are labeled an idiot for life.

All the usual disclaimers, follow local laws, and did I mention to talk to your local fire department first :thumbsup:.

Pete

 

[Toyboy]

If you have a pressure weed sprayer or two, fill them w/water and use for fire spreading into grass. You can keep a couple buckets w/water for refill or major control. If you keep the fire reasonable and rake all the grass/leaves into the pile before starting, it helps a lot on the wandering of the edges.

 

[Mike058]

I've never needed one before, but with all the downed branches and trees from this winter's snow, I'm looking at a bonfire pretty soon. I'd like some advice. I'm just 100 yards from the volunteer fire department, so I've got backup all arranged.

Things I figured out on my own:

1. far from the house
2. not on the power-line easement
3. well away from the propane tanks

Can I put it on land that'll be planted in six weeks or so?

It sounds like you already talked to the fire department about necessary permits and rules.

I had some space cleared out. There was lots of underbrush and a lot of full size cedar and other species of trees. It made for one heck of a big pile-probably bigger than what you're looking at. But here's some things I noticed from our experience.

Six weeks isn't long enough to start growing-Things didn't start growing around our burn spot for a year and a half, and that was after I had a bulldozer in to level the surrounding area.

I had two different people burn two different times. The more effective of the two used a five gallon bucket of diesel and sloshed it into the base of the pile-the other one filled the excavator bucket and dropped the diesel onto the top of the pile(both before it started, just so there's no confusion). They both used a high velocity fan to blow air into the stack (the fan was a requirement if you were burning a large pile). But the county has since banned outdoor burning of any pile larger than 3' diameter.

Keep a couple of buckets of water around, a shovel and the hose. Watch out for "smokies". Put them out asap.

 

[SPIKER]

When I burn first off I make sure to take the brush hog out around the area to knock down any standing weeds. always burn in open areas too. Most of the time I will use on old weed sprayer with some diesel fuel & oil mix, and old boxes paper. cover paper & boxes with small twigs/branches spray the fuel mix onto the boxes & branches. requires very little fuel maybe a quart is all none goes down onto the dirt. dont spray into lit fire as it will be a blow torch like napalm... I keep tractor with box blade and FEL ready when burning. sometime I'll use the forks on back and back up next to the pile & drop off more sticks. turn and push them into the fire feeding a smaller fire is easier than being nervous about a BIG fire. Once the fire is burning good and or starting to burn down and someone watching it I take tractor & Forks for more loads of brush... Dont get too close to fire with tractor though. I keep the front wheels out of fire ring edge... I also dont get close until fire is level or dieing back some...
Weed Burner is my 2nd method of starting fire, actually lately it has been primary way to start fire... no smoke from unburned fuel or chances of someone complaining due to the black diesel fuel startup...

I havent burnt in a couple years but have several smaller piles ready for when I get a chance... When cutting dead fall in woods I always stack the brush so the forks can easly pick it up and move it later...

Others have covered the pretty obvious things such as have help keep shovels rakes ect handy. dont burn when real dry or windy...

Mark M

 

[Stampeder]

I've burned a ton of logs, branches, weeds, etc. When I got the place there were six different piles of the above. I am now down to one.
My technique is very simple and I get a very complete burn on even large pine logs.
First I push it all into a big pile. Mine usually wind up about 8 feet tall.
Next I get my disc out and I thoroughly disk about a 10 foot fire break around the perimeter of the base.
Check the wind direction an make sure that the wind is blowing in a favourable direction, ie away from buildings, animals, neighbours, etc.
Take a five gallon jerry can of diesel and thoroughly soak the pile.
Light you weed burning torch and go around the base of the pile, standing back. My propane torch has a 12 hose on it so I ensure the tank is well away.
Always light your fire on the down wind side, it will start burning slowly and then you can move to the upwind side.
I use the above technique when I burn my fields to rid them of weeds.
Diesel does not burn as fast a gasoline so it is safer to use and as a result you get a more complete burn. I also like the idea of mixing hydraulic fluid with it to start the fire as well.
Check your local by laws regarding burn permits.
Above all be very careful. I claim the usual disclaimers here about the use of this information at your own risk.

Good luck.
Glenn.

 

[dave1949]

If the wood is green, you need to get a concentrated hot bed of coals going to make it burn. Kiln dried lumber scraps will work for that and they ignite easily. Most brush piles of green wood have too much air space in them to burn well. After the accelerant is burned up, there is a pile of charred branches that just aren't going to burn. Feeding that sort of brush to a small hot fire works better. Once there is a good bed of coals, you can burn just about anything, wet stumps, punky wood, etc.

If you are burning brush that is well dried, like others said, it's easy to get a very high, hot and roaring flame coming out of the pile, so don't under-estimate that danger. Once you get a fire like that going, a garden hose running full stream will hardly make a difference - ask me how I know Rainy weather is best for dry piles.

I try to plan ahead. Get some drinks, hotdogs to roast, lawn chair ready, etc. We aren't allowed to leave a permitted fire unattended here.

Cardboard thrown on a burning fire produces some of the largest burning embers floating through the air. I avoid doing that.
Dave.

 

[California]

Newspaper, too. At a campsite I've seen each page drift off the fire separately ... and lodge in the pine trees, still glowing.


One point I haven't seen yet:

When you need a long-burning hot spot to set something like dirty wet stumps upon, two large logs laid parallel will each radiate heat at the other and keep burning, where either log would go out if they were separate.