Spontaneous combustion or spontaneous ignition, as it is often called, is the occurrence of fire without the application of an external heat source. All three scenarios occur without the addition of flame or heat. Smoke can be seen coming from a city's large compost pile. Round hay bales stored in a farmer's field go up in flames. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.A pile of dirty rags spontaneously catches fire in someone's garage.

Learn more about fireplace safety and our other services by calling Batts’ Chimney Services at (205) 956-8207 or (256) 660-1338. If in doubt, buy wood or pellets that are specifically sold for use in fireplaces. They’re treated with chemicals that may end up getting released into your home.

Avoid using treated wood - the kind used for woodworking and construction. If you prefer to cut your own firewood, make sure they’re dried or seasoned first. The best species to use for firewood can be discussed at length, but the bottom line is you must use wood that’s as dry as possible. Reduce the Risks of Popping and Crackling Firewood Burning wood also releases higher amounts of creosote that can accelerate clogging in the chimney flue. An even greater risk is that burning wood with high moisture content releases waste gases, which can become a health hazard. Is Popping and Crackling Dangerous?Īs discussed in our introduction, popping and crackling can cause embers or burning bits of wood to pop out from your fireplace, which may start a house fire depending on where they land. Factors such as the tree’s age and the season can also affect the moisture levels in the firewood. This is why freshly cut wood is not ideal for use as firewood. Therefore, the higher the moisture content of the firewood, the more prone it will be to popping and crackling. As wood burns, the moisture in it turns to steam and behaves the same way as the gases described above. Moisture content is another factor that can result in louder and more frequent pops and crackles. Some of the gas can become trapped within wood pores and build pressure until they force their way out, resulting in popping and crackling noises. As firewood burns, a chemical reaction known as combustion causes the cellulose matter to turn to heat and gas.

Firewood 4 combustion risk