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.

 

[Wagtail]

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.

Thanks for sharing your experience Mate. Especially for those of us who have 'done it before and nothing happened'. Kind of like not wearing your chainsawing chaps and helmet because it's 'just a quick job' on a cracked tree limb'.

Today I'm going to do a barrel burn. I prepped the area (10 meters around) and have laid out a hose with an extra section IOT get at anything that jumps the area. I also have a set of firefighting long cotton gloves and an 'anti-flash' hood, from my Navy days, that I will wear.

 

[Code54]

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

Agreed! Thank you for reminding us!

 

[4570Man]

I think the 20 minutes you waited for the fumes to dissipate was the biggest problem. The fumes increased, not reduced. As long as there's liquid gasoline it's going to evaporate into fumes.

 

[turnkey4099]

I have an on-going "discussion" about gas and brush piles. Several members at the breakfast club are absolutely convinced that you NEED gas or at least must mix gas with diesel. "Helps start the diesel". BS I can "start" diesel with one match held to a twig (but usually use a sheet of newsprint). I do not understand people who think like that.

Latest brush burning was last Sunday, very dry pile and partner (gotta have gas member) used me diesel can and was POURING it over the pile. I told him he didn't need dthat much. One match and the pile was roaring...then the exciement sstarted. about 20' away was a two stem tree, one stem had fallen, rotten at the joint, spark landed there and the smoke was getting serious. Time I got my saw fired up and laid into the down stem the fire was going full bore up the rotten center of it. I had seen clips of firefighters cutting flaming trees but that is the first time I ever socked a bar into the middle of flames. I cut up the down stub and the top off the remainder of it while partner was hauling water from a creek nearby. We both wanted to let it burn in hopes sthat it would take down the the standing stem but didn't dare, it looked like the tip top would brush the power lines. Got the fire out and sat down to a couple coffees to admire our work.

 

[turnkey4099]

Another saga of burning brush. Bad night, couldn't sleep, awake at 5am...hmm what to do...go to the breakfast club...but that doesn't open till 7am...Weather report said it was to be dry today AHAH! i'LL make breakfast, stop for coffee at the club and proceed on down to burn that pile of brush we left last Sunday. Done deed.

Loaded up stopped for coffee and remembered I hadn't loaded the diesel. Hour of bs at the club, back home for the diesel. Arrive at site, minor breeze blowing in my favor (away from the grove), Small splash of diesel (pile was mostly dead dry stuff), one match and in 2 minutes the entire pile was shooting flames 10' down wind....10 minutes later and I was stomping out the grass fires that were spreading down wind and cussing myself for not loading the flat shovel, rake and fork. Wound up beating ssome of the grass out with my jacket. Really wasn't all that much danger but I didn't want the creeping fire to spred too far.

A bit of preplanning and I would have had everything on the truck. That spur of the moment decision didn't work in my favor.

 

[JamesHW]

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.

I have to weigh in again with my method that utilizes a chimney style charcoal starter and some charcoal. I've started fires on cold, rainy days where the entire brush pile was soaking wet by inserting hot coals under the pile on a support (I use an old shovel missing its handle, but old piece of board or any metal might also work). By the time the charcoal is pretty much burned up all the brush above the coals is bone dry and on fire. Worst case scenario you add a second pile of burning coals, but that is rare, especially if you tend the file may inserting good pieces above the coals as it engages. Charcoal chimney starters are bog easy to DIY out of large can and some pop rivets. Heck, you even just make your own charcoal.

This last fall I wanted to do a couple of burns but the drought in the lower Adirondacks is still pretty bad so the brush piles were left to molder away on their own.

 

[dragoneggs]

Another saga of burning brush. Bad night, couldn't sleep, awake at 5am...hmm what to do...go to the breakfast club...but that doesn't open till 7am...Weather report said it was to be dry today AHAH! i'LL make breakfast, stop for coffee at the club and proceed on down to burn that pile of brush we left last Sunday. Done deed.

Loaded up stopped for coffee and remembered I hadn't loaded the diesel. Hour of bs at the club, back home for the diesel. Arrive at site, minor breeze blowing in my favor (away from the grove), Small splash of diesel (pile was mostly dead dry stuff), one match and in 2 minutes the entire pile was shooting flames 10' down wind....10 minutes later and I was stomping out the grass fires that were spreading down wind and cussing myself for not loading the flat shovel, rake and fork. Wound up beating ssome of the grass out with my jacket. Really wasn't all that much danger but I didn't want the creeping fire to spred too far.

A bit of preplanning and I would have had everything on the truck. That spur of the moment decision didn't work in my favor.

One can look at a 'finished' burn pile and learn a lot about the burner. I am one that constantly 'cleans' up and pushes the fire together trying to burn everything 100%. I also almost always use the same spot for my brush pile... big or small so every thing burns up eventually. One thing I don't do but I probably should is extract the metal nails, brackets, etc. that get left. I also tidy up around the burn spot so there isn't grass, branches, etc. that could help spread the fire. Just part of enjoying the ritual for me.

 

[bcp]

One thing I don't do but I probably should is extract the metal nails, brackets, etc. that get left.

Magnet-on-a-stick. Better than a magnet-on-a-rope.

Heavy Duty Magnetic Pickup Tool

Bruce

 

[pokerboy57]

I burn all kinds of brush. I never use an accelerant of any kind to start the fire. I do use a propane torch to get the side of the pile that the wind is coming from to start. Once the initial blaze dies down I add brush slowly to keep the fire under control. I have burned lots of pine trees up to a foot in diameter over the course of 5 days. At night I let the fire die down to embers and then just revive it in the morning. So far in 6 years and a dozen fires I have had no problem. My neighbor uses some kind of accelerant gasoline or diesel I don't know which. They seem to drink and "play" with the fire.....

 

[Pilot]

Gas or diesel just poured on a pile flows thru most of the brush & goes into the ground below--wasted. Better to use a sprayer to apply it in a coating. Gas fumes: heavier than air, if you feel you must use gas, stay upwind and uphill. If you feel that you must use gas (that's a mistake), mix it 50 / 50 with diesel.

Propane torches / weedburners work great. Stick the torch in the pile upwind side, down low and if the pile is ready to burn you'll have fire in a minute or two. If the pile is stubborn, leave the weedburner burning on the upwind side at the bottom of the pile. Only the wettest, most stubborn piles won't eventually light. Here in the Northwet I have cut Scotch broom in the spring when we still get a lot of rain, piled it, and 2 weeks later attacked it with a hand carried torch and had 12 ft. flames in about 30 seconds. Another good thing about propane is that you don't contaminate the soil like gas or diesel poured on the pile does.