Showerthought: I just learned how many chimney fires happen in the spring.

I was reading a report from the National Fire Protection Association last night. It said nearly 30% of all chimney fires happen in March and April, not the dead of winter. I guess it makes sense with people doing that final big burn before shutting things down, but I always thought peak season was December. I found myself checking my own flue at home this morning just thinking about it. Has anyone else seen this pattern in their service calls?

2 comments

2 Comments

terryk8816h ago

My neighbor is a volunteer firefighter. He told me last week they had three chimney calls in two days, all from folks trying to get one last cozy fire in before the weather turned. Said the creosote buildup from a whole winter of burning just needs one hot, long fire to ignite. It really stuck with me. I cleaned my own chimney way later than I should have this year.

robert_jenkins4416h ago

Gotta wonder if that's just firefighter talk to scare people into being careful. I mean, how many chimneys actually catch fire? My uncle burned wood for 30 years and never cleaned his chimney more than once every few years, never had a problem. Seems like one of those things that can happen, but the odds are pretty low for most folks.