Burning brush

[jmfox]

I piled up some brush in hopes of having a nice bonfire, but I couldn't get it to blaze. After stuffing it with paper and a couple of flares no luck. The brush is composed of mainly thorn trees and bushes. The good news is that it has been wet and there is little chance of starting a forest fire; but burning any brush, even that which has been sitting in a pile for year, resists burning. Besides using flammable liquids, is there any good method to start a fire?

jmf

 

[JoeinTX]

Is your pile full of dirt or still damp?


When burning piles we always soak well with diesel or kerosene a little while beforehand with another quick dose right before we torch them. If you've got any old tires around throw them in because they will burn, get hot, and help the pile along in burning.


If that won't get it going then I'm not sure what will.

 

[TMTS]

make sure no ones around if you decide to toss a tire in there...most states have a ban on burning tires.

Diesel works well. As does a leaf blower (backpack ones are the best) to add some oxygen and "push" the fire where you want it to go in the pile. Pallets are also good starters...

do you have a way to move the piles (skid steer/grapple/excavator) if so, you can start a smaller pile, get it hot, then move stuff over on to it.

if all else fails, mulch it...I've been asked to do that quite a few times after the land owner gives up...

 

[yellowdogsvc]

. If you've got any old tires around throw them in because they will burn, get hot, and help the pile along in burning.

That's at your own risk. Texas has stiff fines for anyone caught burning a tire. In fact, the thick, black smoke is a giveaway and that's all the fire marshal needs to visit your burn even if you are behind a locked gate.

I wouldn't recommend too much fuel for a bonfire.
Try a pear burner or even a small propane torch to get part of the fire hot. Newspaper is a good choice and lighter fluid. Diesel works good even in moderation.

 

[MikeD74T]

That's at your own risk. Texas has stiff fines for anyone caught burning a tire. In fact, the thick, black smoke is a giveaway and that's all the fire marshal needs to visit your burn even if you are behind a locked gate. I wouldn't recommend too much fuel for a bonfire.
Try a pear burner or even a small propane torch to get part of the fire hot. Newspaper is a good choice and lighter fluid. Diesel works good even in moderation.[/quote]

A local fire chief used to say "burn tires at night, they don't smoke after dark!"
A friend starts his brush fires with skidder inner tubes. Tire wire is easy to find in the ashes, a valve stem not so easy.

I use a gallon milk jug filled to the top with gasoline. Set it down in the bottom of a brush pile without spilling any, open the cover, light with a match. Because of the small surface area & no vapors there's no big puff. Stand back & the fire will accelerate as the jug burns down with a real hot radiant heat. Any smaller container will work as long as it has a small mouth & is completely full, i.e. 2 litre bottle. MikeD74T

 

[smallfarmer]

The gas sounds dangerous.. I use some charcoal starter, let it soak in and slop on some more and immediately use a weed burner to get it going. The weed burner keeps you at a safe distance and provides a heat source.

 

[LBrown59]

Is your pile full of dirt or still damp?


When burning piles we always soak well with diesel or kerosene a little while beforehand with another quick dose right before we torch them. If you've got any old tires around throw them in because they will burn, get hot, and help the pile along in burning.


If that won't get it going then I'm not sure what will.

Tires are the best fire starters & I get them free.

 

[JoeinTX]

"That's at your own risk. Texas has stiff fines for anyone caught burning a tire. In fact, the thick, black smoke is a giveaway and that's all the fire marshal needs to visit your burn even if you are behind a locked gate..."


Well, there you go. If I knew that I had forgotten it so check with your local authourities. Tires were very common years ago but it's been a long time since I've burned any piles. On my own land, no burn ban in effect, knowing the local fire and county government.......I don't worry too much about it since they don't worry too much about it.

"A local fire chief used to say "burn tires at night, they don't smoke after dark!"


Yeah, that's my case. I register for a prescribed burn and who knows "what" might happen. Tires....or old oil field samples.....or poly line....get in the way......who knew??? I didn't know it was there......fire got out of hand.......etc. Sue me. Prove intent of wrongdoing.

Lots of trash pits are dug and burned all of the time without anyone from county fire or sheriff showing up to issue environmental citations. In fact, I've never seen it happen.

 

[Skyco]

Yeah, that's my case. I register for a prescribed burn and who knows "what" might happen. Tires....or old oil field samples.....or poly line....get in the way......who knew??? I didn't know it was there......fire got out of hand.......etc. Sue me. Prove intent of wrongdoing.

I know we have a couple of lawyers on the board- maybe they'll chime in. I don't think there has to be any "intent of wrongdoing" to get sued. If a fire you started "gets out of hand" you can be sued for damages whether you meant for it to "get out of hand" or not.
BTW I've had my land caught on fire twice by careless/stupid neighbors...one doesn't know how close he came to getting sued, even though neither had any "intent of wrongdoing". Personally I'm against outdoor burning in most cases- one of my neighbors has been fined several times before he figured out it was a poor idea

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm in Texas and the way it was explained to me with tires is that you are allowed to burn one or two to get a fire going, but if you were burning allot of tires, you become a hazerdous waste site. I can't say if this is true or not, but it makes sense to me.

A year should be plenty of time for everything to dry out and burn real easy. I've had trees that I couldn't get to burn that sat for months. Then I cut them into four lengths to expose the end grain, and was able to burn them up clean the following week.

I've found that the best way to get a fire started is to use newpaper. All the fluids like diesel and lighter fluid tend to just burn off of the wood and then go out. Paper gets things started and you can add to it to get a good fire started. Then it's just a matter of building it up to the point it spreads out and gets some coals going.

Eddie