Fall Chimney Safety Reminders from Fernie Fire Rescue

October 8, 2026

As we prepare for cooler temperatures, woodstoves and fireplaces become the heart of many homes. However, heating season also brings an increased risk of home heating fires. Creosote—a highly flammable, tar-like byproduct of burning wood—can slowly build up inside your flue, transforming a cozy evening into a dangerous structural fire.

This Fire Prevention Week, Fernie Fire Rescue would like to remind residents to use wood stoves and fireplaces safely:

  1. Schedule an Annual Professional Inspection

Do not wait for a warning sign like a strong smoky odor or a roaring sound inside your walls. Have a certified chimney technician inspect and clean your flue at least once a year. Even a thin layer of creosote buildup can ignite within minutes and spread undetected into your attic or walls.

  1. Burn Only Seasoned Hardwood

Green, damp, or freshly cut wood produces excessive smoke and accelerates creosote accumulation. Only burn dry, seasoned hardwood that has been split and stacked for at least six months.

  1. Keep the Trash Out of the Hearth

Never use your fireplace or woodstove to dispose of cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, plastics, or household garbage. These materials burn unevenly, float up the flue as burning embers, and can instantly ignite existing creosote deposits.

  1. Cap It and Screen It

Ensure your chimney features a secure cap with a spark arrester to keep out rain, debris, and animal nests. Indoors, always use a sturdy metal mesh screen or keep glass doors closed to prevent embers from escaping onto your floors or carpets.

In Case of a Chimney Fire

If you hear a low rumbling or roaring sound, see dense smoke pouring into the room, or spot sparks shooting from the top of your chimney, a fire may already be underway.

  • Evacuate immediately: Ensure everyone leaves the home safely.
  • Call emergency services: Contact emergency services from outside the property.
  • Cut the oxygen: Only if it is completely safe to do so, close the appliance doors and dampers to choke the fire’s air supply before exiting.
  • Stay outside: Never re-enter the home until fire officials declare it safe.