Jeanne Wood on sat 8 apr 00
Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for some fire safety tips.
I've a good spot planned for where I will soon
complete the digging of a pit for pitfiring. It is
located between my house and my studio and to the
West. (The wind usually comes FROM the West). I've
done a number of above ground firings, but not in my
yard, and with a group.
Although now it is still too wet to dig, by July the
spot is very dry with long grass around it.
I'm going to do the obvious things, I've gotten rid of
previous year's dried grass, I'm going to keep it
mowed down, and it's easily within garden hose reach.
I don't have a rototiller to till the area, I don't
really want to cover the surrounding area with gravel
or put in cement.
But still, I have a tendency to be extremely cautious
about fire and I'd like to hear what other people have
done to insure fire safety.
I'm also wondering how high the flames from a really
good pit firing are?
Thanks,
Jeanne W.
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Cindy Strnad on sun 9 apr 00
Jeanne,
The flames from a pit firing don't need to be high above the ground at
all--assuming the fire is in your pit rather than over it. Even if you're
building the fire over the pit, it needn't be more than a normal hot-dog
fire.
As for safety tips, get a permit if required. Here, you have to have the
site inspected by the forest service and approved. They had very good safety
tips available, as I'm sure your fire department also will be happy to offer
to you. Have fun!
Cindy Strnad
earthenv@gwtc.net
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
KYancey on sun 9 apr 00
Hi Jeanne, No, I would not apply gravel or cement around your pit fire but I
would suggest you mow your grass as close as possible then apply (top-dress)
a good 3 inches of sand or top soil (whatever is available for your local)
at least 6 feel around your pit. That way your grass can grow back. You are
right to be aware of flame height. Your flames could reach as high as 20
feet, with hotter gasses reaching higher. You might consider trimming any
overhanging branches from trees if you have any. You are also right and very
considerate of neighbors to watch your wind direction and how much lift
there is to the smoke. Start a small test fire to see how high the smoke
will lift and what direction it will travel. There are different winds at
different levels. Your concern will be with the "transport winds". They can
be anywhere from 20 feet up or higher. Those winds will carry your smoke. If
your smoke hangs close to the ground and travels towards your neighbors
window then your decision is obvious. Without getting too wordy, let me
finish by mentioning that I have never experienced a pit fire, but am
planning one soon. I do however work as a park naturalist and have planned
100 plus prescribed fires. So please, do a small test fire to actually study
your fire/smoke behavior. Hope this helps, any other questions feel free
to ask.
Ken
Jeanne Wood wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi Everyone,
> I'm looking for some fire safety tips.
> I've a good spot planned for where I will soon
> complete the digging of a pit for pitfiring. It is
> located between my house and my studio and to the
> West. (The wind usually comes FROM the West). I've
> done a number of above ground firings, but not in my
> yard, and with a group.
> Although now it is still too wet to dig, by July the
> spot is very dry with long grass around it.
> I'm going to do the obvious things, I've gotten rid of
> previous year's dried grass, I'm going to keep it
> mowed down, and it's easily within garden hose reach.
>
> I don't have a rototiller to till the area, I don't
> really want to cover the surrounding area with gravel
> or put in cement.
>
> But still, I have a tendency to be extremely cautious
> about fire and I'd like to hear what other people have
> done to insure fire safety.
> I'm also wondering how high the flames from a really
> good pit firing are?
> Thanks,
> Jeanne W.
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
> http://im.yahoo.com
Cindy Strnad on mon 10 apr 00
Ken,
Flames 20 feet in the air? Whoa! That is one hell of a pit fire. Unless
you're firing the entire production of the village for the past 6 months,
you probably don't have to make it that big. Still, you're right about not
building it under a tree or in the midst of uncut grass, of course. One
never knows. But if all you're firing is a dozen or so small pots, you
probably won't need 20 foot high flames.
Cindy Strnad
earthenv@gwtc.net
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
Mason Batchelder on mon 10 apr 00
I would check if you have a local fire district and see if they require a
burn permit and if they require a call first and assign a number after
getting your name and location, as is done here in South Carolina.
Ask them or the weather bureau where to get the relative humidity and wind
conditions which might be favorable to have control and ignition problems.
Learn where to get this information for regular planning.
YOU HAVE IT CORRECT TO GET THE SOURCES OF IGNITION OUT OF THE AREA. Ask a
fire Marshall what are the expected safe distances from structures and
combustibles.
Wear clothing that is not highly flammable and covers the feet and limbs in
case you have to fight one so you do not get burned, and good leather outdoor
work gloves might be an ExecNet idea.
Depending on the scale of the fire and fuel, a hose may or may not be
sufficient and all hoses are not the same. Think of the water source,
pressure and hose diameter and length to reach the site from the spigot as
they could all be a factor on delivery of adequate supply of water to douse.
A tanker truck would be a consideration if the area is near wood structures
or Forrest. Keep the fuel a safe distance from the pithier. Be aware
depending on your soil drainage that you could get a pond when it rains that
could either attract mosquitoes or curious little kids.
These are just food for thought when you plan and oh, a couple of old woolen
blankets are safeguards to roll a victim on fire in. I am throwing out an
overkill analyses for most situations but there are bonfires along the
Mississippi and in Texas that might warrant this degree of planning.
HAVE FUN AND USE LONG TONGS...GREAT POTS TO YOU ALL.
M.
KYancey on tue 11 apr 00
Cindy,
I am sorry, but I think you may have misunderstood what I was trying to say
about flame height. 20 foot flames? Sure. I've seen small bon fires turn into
big ones since the fuel was there so why not put it all on. As far as it being
a requirement for pit fires, NO. As I mentioned, I am not experienced in pit
fires, but I do know that it doesn't take much to load up a bon fire to really
get it going. In a park situation where we practice prescribed burning,
convicted heat from flames can catch the crowns of trees on fire easily, even
though the visible part of the flame seems well below the lower branches. Also
keep in mind, that If Jeanne is to talk to the Fire or Forestry departments,
she will be talking to people like myself who don't fully understand what a
pit fire is. My biggest concern is smoke. After all, our woods is already on
fire. Too many complaints from neighbors and our burn program is jeopardized.
Kinda funny irony however, I manage a large park, have plenty of wood, nice
open space, even a backhoe! but the local liberal arts college and the pottery
co-op has been luke warm to the idea of a pit fire. Oh well, one of these
days. Ken
Cindy Strnad wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Ken,
>
> Flames 20 feet in the air? Whoa! That is one hell of a pit fire. Unless
> you're firing the entire production of the village for the past 6 months,
> you probably don't have to make it that big. Still, you're right about not
> building it under a tree or in the midst of uncut grass, of course. One
> never knows. But if all you're firing is a dozen or so small pots, you
> probably won't need 20 foot high flames.
>
> Cindy Strnad
> earthenv@gwtc.net
> Earthen Vessels Pottery
> RR 1, Box 51
> Custer, SD 57730
Cindy Strnad on wed 12 apr 00
Hi, Ken.
No problem, I really just wrote because you said you hadn't done any
pitfiring and that you were planning to. Wanted to make sure you knew you
didn't need a huge fire. I understand what you mean about fires getting out
of hand. I live close to Custer State Park in SD, and have seen some
doozies. They told me the same things you said--no overhanging branches, cut
the grass short-short, have water/sand available, and so on.
I have a small pit (about the size of a 55 gallon drum). I lay out started
coals in the bottom, and a little brush, then place the bisqued (around
^010), warmed pots in this bed. I build my fire on a screen over the pit and
let the coals fall through the screen until the pots are covered. If I want
oxygen to get to the coals, I stick in a couple of metal pipes. Of course,
there are lots of ways to do a pitfiring--this is just my way and I thought
it might be of interest.
I hope your firing goes well. I wouldn't worry about getting the co-op
involved--a few friends or family members will do just fine. It's a lot of
fun. Let me know how it goes, okay?
Cindy Strnad
earthenv@gwtc.net
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
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