SAFETY TIP – Hot ashes can lead to unintentional hot times

Ashes and coals from fireplaces, wood burning stoves, fire pits or barbecues can remain hot enough to start a fire for several days. Every year, U.S. firefighters respond to structure fires ignited by hot ashes that were improperly stored or discarded. In December, Falcon firefighters responded to a fire that started inside a trash truck because someone placed ashes containing hot embers in their trash for pick up. Imagine the consequences if those ashes had flared up inside a home, garage or on a deck.The exact amount of time it takes to completely cool hot ashes depends on factors such as how hot the fire was, what was burning and how much unburned fuel remains. To be safe, simply treat all ashes and coals as hot, even when they should have had enough time to cool.The Falcon Fire Protection District offers the following tips for proper disposal of ashes.

• Never use plastic containers, cardboard boxes or paper bags to dispose of ashes.
• Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up ashes.
• Place cooled ashes in a metal container with a tight-fitting metal lid.
• Douse ashes with water and let them sit for several days.
• Store the metal ash container outside in a location where it cannot be knocked over by wind or animals.
• Keep the ash container away from anything that can catch fire, including structures, vegetation, mulch, decks or wooden fencing.
• Do not assume ashes are cold and dump them on the ground. Leaves or other loose, dry vegetation can be ignited by smoldering embers, or wind can stir up sparks.
• Contact local trash collectors for disposal recommendations after ashes have cooled and embers are out.