“The Chief Speaks”

1st Edition - October, 2007

CHIMNEY FIRE ALERT!

Unused chimneys are a great place for birds, bugs and insects to build their nests and/or store their food. The Resort will be open for Winter Sports in no time at all so now is the time to have your chimney cleaned and checked before using it. There would be nothing worse than arriving at your residence, light up the fireplace and burn the building down.

Yes, it’s been done in the past!

Creosote also builds up in the chimney especially if damp or wet wood has been burned in the fireplace.
Creosote is black or brown in appearance.  It can be crusty and flaky, tar-like drippy and sticky, or shinny and hardened.  Often all forms can be found in one chimney system.
Whatever form it takes, creosote is highly combustible.
If creosote builds up in sufficient quantities and catches on fire inside the chimney flue, the result is a chimney fire.

Conditions that Encourage Creosote Build Up

1. Restricted air supply
2. Unseasoned (wet) wood
3. Cooler than normal chimney temperatures
4. Burning garbage (plastics, Styrofoam, etc.)

Signs that you have had a Chimney Fire

1. Puffy creosote with rainbow colored streaks in the firebox
2. Warped metal damper
3. Cracked or collapsed flue tiles or tiles with big chunks missing
4. Discoloured or distorted rain cap (other than crushed by snow)
5. Creosote flakes and pieces found on the roof or ground
6. Roofing material damaged from hot creosote
7. Cracks in exterior masonry
8. Evidence of smoke escaping through mortar joints or masonry tiles.

What to do if you have a Chimney Fire

• Get everyone out of the house, including yourself.

• Call 9-1-1 from a neighbour’s house.

Marty McKinney
Fire Chief

Hemlock Valley Volunteer Fire Department