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The Dangers of a Wood Burning Fire A wood burning fire can offer a warm and enjoyable experience. However, it can also produce toxic combustion products. It is essential to know the way wood burns and how to use your fireplace properly. Choose the seasoned or kiln dried logs. Logs that are seasoned hold less moisture, and they are able to burn longer and hotter than unseasoned logs. Burning Time Heating wood with wood is a well-known and efficient method of heating. This fire can emit indoor and outdoor pollutants that can be harmful to human health. A well-designed fireplace, used with skill can help reduce the negative effects of burning wood. The duration of a fire is determined by its temperature. The temperature of the fire can affect the amount of smoke released and the amount of carbon monoxide that is released. If carbon monoxide levels are high, they may hinder the escape of occupants from a building that is burning. To prevent this, it is important to keep the fire at a the lowest temperature. In the beginning of a fire, volatile gases like methane and alcohol are released from the wood's cellulose. These gases are combustible and non-combustible depending on the moisture content and pyrolysis temperatures of the sample. The temperature of the pyrolysis increases up to 325 degrees Celsius. At this point cellulose starts to break down, forming coal and tar. This process is known as wood pyrolysis. Burning wood releases toxic combustion products such as dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons and PAHs. PAHs are known to cause cancer and other ailments in animals and humans. They can also cause contamination of the soil and water. To lessen the negative impact of PAHs, wood should be burned in a properly ventilated area. A wood stove with the ability to extend its burn time can keep visible flames burning for hours, while using a minimum of fuel. This method involves laying wood with lighter kindling as well as heavier pieces to avoid the fire burning out too fast. This technique can be used to build an open fire to generate high heat, either overnight or while you're at work. The length of a fire is determined by many factors, including the amount of moisture in the wood. Dry wood burns faster than damp wood. The surface's absorptivity affects its burning time. Simms [59] found that the critical heat flux needed to ignite oak and mahogany samples was significantly lower on coated surfaces than without them. Temperature The temperature of a fire is extremely important. It affects how fast it burns, as well as the heat it produces. It also affects how dangerous it is in the event of a person being burned. It can also affect the amount of smoke produced. If there is too much smoke, it may cause irritation to the eyes and throat, so people should avoid breathing it in. When wood is burned, it generates plenty of heat and can even reach high temperatures. The temperature of the fire will be affected by the type of wood and the amount of moisture. Wet wood, for example will burn at less heat than dry wood. Wet wood absorbs more water and therefore produces less heat. It is important to use dry wood, and you should also ensure that the wood is seasoned before burning it. When the wood reaches its peak temperature of combustion it will release lots of heat and ash. The amount of ash released depends on the type of burning wood and the degree of heat. Certain woods, like larch and oak, produce very little ash when they burn. Other woods, like birch, can produce an enormous amount of ash. When the wood starts to burn it will go through three stages of pyrolysis. This process starts with the chemical reaction that transforms the organic compounds found in the wood into methane and carbon dioxide. The gases that result are absorbed by the surrounding air. When the wood is heated these gases will rise and ignite the wood's surface, creating an ember that heats the wood until it combusts. It is crucial to avoid touching the fire with skin that is not completely covered, because it can cause burns. Avoid touching the wood-burning fire with your hands since it could cause serious burns. You can lessen the risk of burning yourself by wearing a pair of gloves and working in a well-ventilated space. It is also recommended to wear a protective mask when working near an open flame made of wood to avoid inhaling the smoke. Smoke Wood burning fires release smoke which is a mixture of gases as well as fine particles (also known as particulate matter or PM) that are a source of harmful air pollutant. PM from wood combustion can contain toxic organic compounds like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as mineral particles such as calcium magnesium and potassium. These particles can cause a variety of health problems that include cancer and respiratory diseases. Inhaling wood smoke can also cause people to inhale CO, which is an odorless and colorless gas that is deadly in small amounts. mini wood stoves fireplacesandstove.com produced by a wood fire comes mainly from volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons) that evaporate from the burning material. The smoke is a mixture of water vapor, as well as the by-products from incomplete burning (such as creosote) and a small amount of unburned materials known as ash. When choosing the type of wood that you want to burn in your woodstove or fireplace it is recommended to choose seasoned firewood. Split logs, that were stored away from the elements and allowed to dry for a certain amount of time until they reach an average moisture content of 20 to 25 percent, burn less and produce less creosote. A good way to test the moisture content of a wood log is to hit it on two sides. The wood that is damp will make a dull sound, while seasoned logs will make an intense sound. The smoke and other by-products are expelled through the chimney. If the ventilation system in the house is not adequate it could mean that the chimney is not able to draw enough air and thus create an back draft. This can cause the products of the fire to accumulate inside the house. This can result in the buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide, as well as flammable creosote and cinders. Smoke from a wood-burning fire is particularly harmful to people over the age of 65, those suffering from heart or lung diseases as well as children and those who exercise outdoors. They are more likely to experience health effects from wildfire smoke including COVID-19-related symptoms, as well as aggravated asthma and chronic lung and heart ailments. Safety When using a wood burning fire, there are a few precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk of accidents and fire damage. Always use the fireplace or stove with a wood screen and keep everything flammable at a distance of 3 feet. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must also be put in place in your home to warn you if dangerous gases are detected. It is not advisable to leave a fire unattended because even a small flame can cause an explosive explosion. Also, you should make use of a shovel made of metal and an ash bucket to remove ashes from your fireplace or wood stove, and keep it far away from anything flammable. Lighting the Fire To start a fire first put a layer of dry and cut logs on a bed of ash. Then add a layer twigs and kindling to the pile. It is essential to leave enough space between the pieces of wood to allow airflow. This will prevent the fire from fading too quickly. Add a few firelighters if you need some extra assistance to get your fire up and running. It is also recommended to open a window when you are starting your fire, as this will help it get the oxygen it requires to ignite brightly. This is especially crucial for modern homes that are typically sealed tight and have no natural airflow or drafts. Once your fire has built up, you can begin adding progressively larger pieces of wood to it. But, it is important to remember that even mature hardwoods like oak and hickory still produce lots of creosote when burned and you should be careful not to burn them as much as possible. In general, you should use kiln dried or seasoned firewood for burning your fire, as it is less likely to cause creosote build-up in your chimney. If you are forced to use fresh or green firewood, be cautious because it will create more smoke and can lead to more creosote.