I live outside the "city" limits of a truly small town (population apx. 3,000 people), so open burning is allowed under proper conditions. We've always kept a small "burn pile" in the back yard where deadwood is placed and periodically burned. The ash is then spread in flower beds since it is rich in potassium, or so I've been told.
When some of the outer bands of Hurricane Irma passed through our area back in September, we had some high winds and rain. Fortunately, the eye of the storm was hundreds of miles west of us, so the damage was minimal. Still, two or three huge branches broke out of one of the oak trees and fell into the back yard. I called a "tree service" company to chainsaw-and-haul-away the big pieces of wood, but told them they could throw the smaller stuff on the "burn pile" to save an extra truckload having to be hauled away. The resulting "small" brush accumultated in a pile 10-12 feet long, 5 feet wide, and about 4.5 feet high.
First, I waited for the brush pile to dry-out enough for it to burn. Then, it was necessary to wait for a good burning day, which means calm wind conditions. Days were breezy for a bit, then rain came and re-soaked the pile, then more breezy conditions came, and so forth. FINALLY, today was the day! Virtually no wind was stirring, the pile was dry, and I could just "feel" that it was time for a bonfire! I trust my intuition in such things.
~photos © by me~
So, I raked the fallen-leaves from around the pile to make sure there was a decent "fire lane" around it, and soaked the ground around it with the garden hose, to be sure. Did you know dirt can burn? Certain kinds can, especially if it is rich soil, with bits of partially-decomposed plant matter in it. I remember the "peat fires" years ago when I lived in Florida; those things can burn for days, or even weeks, on end!
~photos © by me~
The pile is gone now, reduced to a glowing bed of red coals, which I am periodically checking, just to be sure it doesn't flare up again and cause trouble. Burn, baby, burn!
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