For most people, the word fire brings chills down the spine and crazy moments of uncertainty.
We are all reminded of the fires that razed down most of Australia’s states and territories. The skies turned red, the air got polluted, dead wildlife and the lucky ones that survived had nowhere to go, leave alone anything to eat.
Unless you are a hater of humanity and everything that comes with it, starting a fire during the summer is the worst thing you can ever think of. You risk so much to gain so little. A carefully managed fire is the way to go, and that involves burning brush piles when it is raining or when the grounds are wet.
But burning a bush pile in the rain is not a walk in the park. In fact, it can get you so frustrated you’d want to leave everything and go your way. Read along to learn how to burn a bush pile in the rain.
How to Burn a Bush Pile in the Rain
Step 1: Select the location
The burning site is just as crucial as the burning itself. You need to ensure that the location you pick is free from overhead objects such as trees and power lines.
Any housing or homes should be at least 50 feet away from the brush pile. Of course, you don’t want to raze down your whole neighborhood.
Step 2: Dig a trench around the fire location
Dig a moat or a trench around the set location about 3 feet wide, then remove any debris or material that may catch fire. The moat prevents fire from spreading around the burning area.
Remember, fire spreads quickly when there is wind. The groove or trench also acts as a windbreaker.
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Step 3: Arranging the Brush Pile
This step is the most important if you want your pile to burn, especially in the rain. At the very bottom, have the tree branches, and broken limbs but refrain from leaves and dry pine; they block air circulation, making it harder for the brush pile to burn.
More significant components and enormous pieces of wood should come on top.
Step 4: Start the fire
Starting a fire is pretty challenging, considering the rain. It might require you to employ aggressive but necessary methods to light up the pile.
If it is just drizzling, set a newspaper on fire at the bottom of the pile. Ideally, that is where it will start burning and then ignites the top of the pile. Eventually, the whole brush pile will catch fire.
If the newspaper fails to catch fire, the aggressive method is an option you may want to try. It involves gasoline, which means you need to be extra careful not to set yourself on fire.
Roll a piece of cloth on a long stick or piece of wood and soak it with gasoline. With the stick away from your body, light the torch and place it under the brush pile.
Ultimately, the bottom will catch fire which then travels to the top larger branches.
Step 5: Add the dry leaves and tree barks
In the beginning, we could not add the dry leaves, pines, and tree barks because they block the air supply in the brush pile.
Once the larger branches start to burn, it is now time to add the dry leaves, pine needles, and tree barks. Stir the burning pile with a rake or shovel until everything burns to ash.
Step 6: Pour water on the ash
Pour some water on the hot ash to cool it down completely. There could be some wood pieces still burning, which may ignite the fire when you are not around. I’m pretty sure you understand the dangers of unattended fire.
How to Burn a Wet Bush Pile
Having a wet brush pile in your backyard is a definite eyesore. It creates a natural breeding ground for all manner of household pests. You must get rid of it as soon as possible because you don’t really want to deal with infestations.
However, though, a wet brush pile can be found anywhere. Probably you are a ranch owner and have to deal with such from time to time. It poses similar threats and even more challenges meaning you have to burn it either way.
Step 1: Location
The first step for burning a brush pile is always the location. A suitable location is one away from housing and homes.
There shouldn’t be any overhead materials such as trees and electric cables. Anything that might catch fire should be kept far and away from the brush pile.
Step 2: A moat around the brush pile
Obviously, you don’t want the fire to get to the surrounding vegetation. That is the whole essence of controlled fires. Dig a moat or a groove around the location you picked and remove any debris that might catch fire.
Step 3: Assembling the brush pile
When assembling the brush pile, start with the small branches and sticks at the very bottom. Larger pieces of wood should come next.
Do not place the leaves and pine tree needles in the stack yet. They block the supply of oxygen which is essential in burning the brush pile.
Step 4: Start the fire on the wet brush pile
Getting the wet brush pile to light up can prove to be a great challenge. It may require using some unconventional methods to get the pile burning.
The use of diesel, paraffin, or gasoline can be hazardous. To start the fire, tie a piece of cloth on a stick and soak it with kerosene or any fuels.
With the stick away from your body, light up the torch and place it at the bottom of the brush pile until the whole pile catches fire. It will spread through to the top of the pile, and eventually, the whole stack.
Step 5: Add the leaves, pine needles, and tree bucks
Once the whole pile is on fire, add the wet leaves, pine needles, and tree barks to the burning branches. Stir the pile using a hand rake or shovel until everything burns to ashes.
Step 6: Put out the fire
Wet branches and leaves may take longer to burn than dry ones. Once most of the pile is turned to ash, you may want to put out the fire before leaving the site. Pour some water on the burning debris.
FAQs
What do you use to burn a wet brush pile?
Using fuel such as kerosene, gasoline, or diesel can help burn a brush pile in the shortest time possible. However, you don’t really want to get yourself on fire. Therefore you need to exercise a lot of care. Diesel comes in handy because it has a much lower point of ignition.
When should I burn my brush piles?
The most ideal time to burn a brush pile is when the winds are blowing relatively slower than 15mph. Also, ensure that the ground is wet or at least drizzling before starting the fire.
Starting the fire on a dry, windy day could result in severe environmental damage such as wildfires. You may also end up having your whole neighborhood up in flames.
How do you burn a wet branch?
Cut the branch into smaller pieces and, using the steps above, establish a brush pile. The smaller pieces should go down while the larger chunks go up the pile. Set the pile on fire using diesel or gasoline and keep watch till it burns to the ground.
Setting a brush pile on fire when it is raining can prove to be the most frustrating activity you’ll ever have to undertake. However, the pile has to go down because of its risks, especially when it is around your home.
You need to exercise caution when burning; a slight mistake could cause a wildfire in your area. Burning the brush pile in the rain is one way of preventing such scenarios.
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