October 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 31
Checklist for fall project includes cleaning fireplaces and chimneys
By Jim Bennett
Fall is here! While it’s hard to
predict exactly what the weather
will be like when this article is
prepared the month prior, after
all this is Central Oregon where
you can get a dose of two to
three different seasons in the
same day, it’s likely starting to
actually feel like fall.
Just like in the early spring, as
we prepare for wildfire season,
we take time in the early fall
to prepare for what lies ahead
with winter weather conditions.
There has been a lot of talk
about a strong El Nino and
there has certainly been varying
opinions and even data about
its potential impact on the high
desert. We should prepare for
the worst but hope for just the
right amount of precipitation to
make us drought-free next summer. Over the next couple of
months, we’ll be talking about
steps for preparedness, but top
of the list is fire, specifically the
purposefully set fire in fireplaces. If you have a natural gas or
an electric fireplace, maintenance is minimal, but for those
with wood-burning stoves and
fireplaces, the maintenance can
make the difference between a
fire in the fireplace and a fire in
the house.
There are different byprod-
Be sure to clean your 昀椀replace and chimney before winter weather arrives.
ucts created depending on the
woods and other items burned
within a fireplace. Some emit
significant oils and creosote
while others burn clean and
mostly leave you with a pile
of ash.
Oils like creosote and little
particles can coat the inside
of the flue. Even though they
have technically burned in the
actual fire, they are still potentially flammable with the right
quantity and heat source.
In addition, flues can be a
haven for small rodents that
find spots to nest, bringing in
flammable material, usually
forest debris.
The top of the chimney can
also be a collector of flammable
materials from the forest debris
that falls from the trees during
the summer and fall and to the
other material that gets stuck
around the chimney, creating,
unfortunately, the perfect nest
for a spark.
When fires burn in the fireplace, especially large ones or
wood that has lots of oils and
sap, they can throw out lots
of sparks and potentially large
flames. As those land on the oils
and debris in the flue and chimney, the risk of it igniting exists.
Fire likes to find its way into
openings. A small crack in a
flue or chimney, a broken brick,
some missing mortar or a loose
pipe can allow fire to find its
way into the wooden spaces of
the home, specifically in the
attic and ceiling spaces. The
structural wood and materials
are tinder dry and they ignite.
That’s a lot of what-ifs and
is an eye-opener that in some
cases it doesn’t take much to
start an unintended fire that
originated from your intended
fire in the fireplace. So, let’s
prevent it.
Consider hiring a professional
chimney sweep. They don’t
look like the chimney sweeps
in Mary Poppins, I just dated
myself, but they come ready to
clean out the entire system from
fireplace on up. As part of their
service, and to ensure they are
keeping your home safe, be sure
to confirm with them that they
are looking for any damage,
missing or loose parts that could
allow fire to go where you did
not intend it to go.
Ideally, they will check the
top from the roof, making sure
the spark arrestor, the mesh,
screen, or grating on top that
keeps larger sparks and embers
from floating out is intact and
in place.
If not done by the chimney
sweep, arrange for or do yourself, be careful, roofs can be
surprisingly slippery, a complete
cleaning of forest debris from
the roof and gutters, especially
around the chimney.
Ashes in the fireplace can also
be a point of unintended fire
when disposed of inappropriately. It is amazing how long a
piece of wood can still be hot
and combustible. When they
are believed to be completely
out you don’t feel any heat,
place them in a steel ash can
that is not sitting on or near
anything flammable. Again, the
key is metal, not plastic: fires
have occurred where seemingly
“cold” ashes have melted plastic
bins and gone on to cause an
unintended fire.
For gas or electric fireplaces, check your manufacturer’s
directions for cleaning and
maintenance. As always, stay
safe and enjoy truly one of the
most beautiful and quiet times
of the year.
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OCTOBER 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
Page 31
