Chilly temperatures spiraling into the new year often have precipitated a number of chimney fires in and around Cortez as wood burning becomes a main source for home heating.
Brandon Johnson, fire inspector for the Cortez Fire Protection District, said about 10 chimney fires occurred during the 2009 winter season, most of which came in January and February. A few of the 10 resulted in fully engulfed structure fires.
"That's usually the time we get 'em," Johnson said. "People start burning late in the fall, and hot (soot) can smolder in chimneys for some time, resulting in a fire."
A build-up of soot especially can occur in chimney pipes that are curved, leading up to the smoke release point on a roof, Johnson said. The accumulation of black dirt, dust and soot is faster because the smoke exits more slowly.
Frequently cleaning smoke pipes and chimneys is a common-sense approach to avoiding chimney fires, Johnson said.
Taking a brush to a chimney in the fall before to excessive burning and brushing again following the winter season is a precaution.
"The cleaner it is the better it's going to be," Johnson said. "You should clean chimneys before and after the burning season."
One sweep in October and another in March is a low-end recommendation, Johnson suggested. People who are more serious about fire prevention, and those who burn wood as a sole heat source, should conduct a third chimney cleaning in January.
In addition to frequent cleaning, one way to prevent chimney fires includes burning "lighter" wood, such as aspen, cottonwood or oak, Johnson said. Woods such as pine and maple are thicker and heavier, causing more ash and soot in chimney pipes.
Johnson said there have been no chimney fires reported in Cortez so far this winter. However, a minor chimney fire did take place this week in Stoner.
The Stoner lodge north of Dolores along Colorado Highway 145 had a minor chimney blaze Jan. 12.. Three firefighters from the Dolores Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene.
"It didn't amount to much. There was no (structure) damage," said Lloyd Johnson, assistant Dolores fire chief. "A caretaker put out the fire with an extinguisher."
For more information about fire prevention, contact Brandon Johnson at the Cortez Fire Department at 565-3157.
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