Using your Pellet Stove in Fire Restriction Times?

[ScottyD21]

Good Morning All. I am in a pickle... I live in West Milford, NJ and we're currently in a Fire 3 Restriction status. I also live very close to the NY/NJ border where we've been battling a large fire... Anyhow, we've not had any rain in weeks.. It's VERY dry outside, hence the reason for being in a Fire restriction. What I am looking for is guidance on using my indoor pellet stove for heat. I've had it for years and I keep it very well maintained, etc., so it's definitely in great working order. Is there anything to be worried about using it in such dry conditions? Am I (and my wife for that matter) being overly cautious by not using it thinking it could cause a fire outside from whatever is remitted from the chimney? Thanks all and I appreciate your feedback....

Scott

 

[jackman]

Your caution is certainly warranted. I'd play it safe and keep it off and switch to another heat source, in my case space heaters. I'm on my local firewise committee so I like to set a good example.

 

[bogieb]

Caution is always good. I would think it really depends on the circumstances and the stove. If the stove is in good working order, there shouldn't be sparks coming out of the exhaust. But it may depend on the model of the stove - it would be extremely difficult for sparks to come out from my P-series stoves since the exhaust is back behind the large ash pan.

We are in red flag warnings and wildfires sparking up all over the place in my area (fortunately, ours are limited to smaller areas and knocked down fairly quickly - KOW). I have been running my stoves with no issues. Of course I have rock under both exhausts (around the entire perimeter of the house), the exhausts are 2-4' off the ground, and no vegetation too close. My main concern is I will not be able to (or at least choose not to) empty the ash pans until we either get rain or snow, and that isn't looking likely to happen for at least another week, if not longer. I don't want to chance there being a live coal buried in all that ash, even though I don't do cleanings until the stove is cold.

Fortunately, at this time of year my stoves aren't running often or long, so the ash pans aren't full yet.

 

[stoveliker]

Ashes can be put in a metal bucket with lid?
Then leave them be or add water.

 

[zrock]

heating and cooking fires for home use do not fall under fire restrictions. If you stove is in good working order there should be no chance of it starting a fire.

The weather you have their is t-shirt and shorts weather for me..

 

[Murray01]

Stage 3 Restriction

• All fires in wooded areas will be prohibited unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas, or electricity.
• No charcoal fires are allowed.

NJDEP | New Jersey Forest Fire Service | Conditions / Restrictions Dashboard

Since 1906 the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has been the agency responsible for protecting life, property, as well as the state's natural resources from wildfire.

www.nj.gov

The above quote came from the above link, they are referring to camp fires. In Alberta and Saskatchewan when fire bans are issued the government lists exactly what’s allowed and more importantly whats not. No mention of wood/pellet stove so I would assume you can legally use your pellet stove. Whether you use it or not sounds like it’s your choice.

Why can’t government agencies spell out exactly what is legal and what isn’t when issuing fire bans/restrictions?

 

[stoveliker]

Just for us in neighboring NYS:

New York State has implemented a statewide burn ban in effect until November 30 due to increased fire risk. This burn ban prohibits the starting of outdoor fires statewide for purposes of brush and debris disposal, as well as uncontained campfires, and open fires used for cooking. Backyard fire pits and contained campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small, contained cooking fires.

from https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-provides-update-wildfires-impacting-new-york-state

No mention of inside fires (i.e. (pellet) stoves) but the burn "ban" is not even full for outside fires. I'm highly surprised by the latter; a 3 ft diameter 2ft high fire outside is allowed during this burn ban... I would certainly not light anything outside now as it's insanely dry here and all the leaves are on the ground.
I have no qualms lighting my stove though when that is needed. (So far not yet given the very warm fall and heat pump.)

 

[MarkF48]

We have an outdoor open fire ban here in Massachusetts. There are a few outdoor wood boilers used for heating in our town and I've seen a few being used from the smoke seen coming from the stacks. While the fire may be contained, I'm surprised the language from local fire departments doesn't include these considering embers that may be emitted when adding wood or stoking the fire.

 

[blades]

I have seen more fires started from bad maintenance of trains than wood/pellet stoves.

 

[Ricks]

While many areas may have burn bans, usually the bans exclude fires used for heating. So an outdoor wood boiler, wood stove, pellet furnace, and a pellet stove would be allowed. I have seen some bans that include wood stoves build before a given date.

That said I would strongly suggest reading the details and have the official wording printed out in case someone stops by claiming you are in violation.

 

[bogieb]

Ashes can be put in a metal bucket with lid?
Then leave them be or add water.

And put it the metal bucket where? my under-house garage is not a good place to leave it and the winds outside would carry the danger of tipping the bucket, which could release hot ashes or even just a live spark would be bad.

My stoves are still good, I just like to get into a routine for cleaning. At the rate we are going, it could be several more weeks before we get any relief from either rain or snow.

 

[stoveliker]

My bucket goes on the driveway and when I empty ashes it's enough to keep it from blowing over. But I do put a paver on top for safety.

 

[bogieb]

My bucket goes on the driveway and when I empty ashes it's enough to keep it from blowing over. But I do put a paver on top for safety.

I'd have to put a couple of cinder blocks on top with the winds we've had the last couple of days. The wind gets funneled into my driveway so is much stronger than the actual wind/gust speeds. Had the wind knock over a couple of 60# items a couple of days ago. Granted, they are bigger than the bucket, so catch more wind, but I just don't want to take the chance.

I should be able to clean the P43 today as it will have been 24 hours since the last time it ran. It has been warm enough that I've used the mini split instead since about 9am Saturday. The P63a is the only heat in the basement, so it will just have to wait.

 

[stoveliker]

You can always add water to the bucket, let it soak (and be heavier) before you empty it.

 

[ARC]

I store my ashes in a 6 gal locking mini trash can, I save it up for snow days and spread it on my long driveway. Never have enough for the whole drive way though. This can locks hard and even if blown over it does not unlock the handle. If it ever did it would still not open, I have had this can for over 6 years and I still groan about getting the top off it is so tight. Seems like it is always -10 F with a 30 mph wind when I'm trying to open it, lol.