September 29, 2020 –
Olympia – As the days become shorter, Washington residents may be considering a fire in the
fireplace to take the chill out of these autumn evenings.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends residents take the following safety steps when using
wood burning fireplaces:
• Be aware of burn restrictions in your area before starting a fire. Unless the fireplace is
the only source of heat, wood fires may be banned in your area due to air quality.
• Use only kindling or fire starters to start a fire. Never use lighter fluid, kerosene, or
gasoline.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood. Never burn trash in the fireplace.
• Keep metal or tempered-glass screens closed unless loading or stoking the fire.
• Keep children and pets away from the fireplace with a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them. Place ashes in a tightly covered metal
container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from the home and any other
nearby buildings. Never empty the ash directly into a trash can.
• Ensure you have working smoke alarms in your home and test them monthly.
For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 596-3929.
###