The risk of fire does not disappear when flames die down. Even several days after your fire, wood ashes can retain enough heat to ignite a house fire or other combustible material in your refuse container if not disposed of properly.
Please follow these guidelines for safe disposal:
- Do not dispose of hot ashes in plastic, paper, or cardboard. Carefully empty hot ashes into a metal container that can be tightly closed with a metal lid.
- Douse the ashes with water and secure the lid.
- Store the covered container in a safe location outside and away from your house, wind, and other ignitable or combustible materials.
- Leave ashes in the metal container for at least several days, allowing them to cool completely.
- Once the ashes have cooled completely, they can be transferred to a plastic bag, securely tied, and disposed of in your curbside refuse container.