San Andreas, CA…Calaveras County Fire Chiefs Association President Don Young on Monday declared the start of cold and flue season. It isn’t what you think. Young, who is also the chief for San Andreas Fire Protection District, isn’t trying to replace Calaveras County Public Health Officer Dr. Dean Kelaita.

Photo credit: Dana M. Nichols, San Andreas Fire Protection District

Young’s concern is that with colder weather, residents may be firing up their wood stoves without first clearing last year’s creosote from flue pipes. The creosote buildup, or even bird nests and debris, can ignite, starting a blaze that can damage or destroy a home.

“We have multiple calls for flue fires throughout the county,” Young said.
Cleaning the creosote buildup typically involves removing the cap on the top end of a chimney or flue and using a brush, chain or other device to knock the creosote loose inside the pipe. Then, the resulting debris can be vacuumed up where it falls lower in the flue or in the fireplace or wood stove.

According to federal statistics, home heating – especially wood stoves – is one of the most common causes of structure fires, responsible for an average of more than 45,000 home fires per year in the United States. While the fire is sometimes contained within the stovepipe, other times the flames spread to damage walls and roofs.

“It can be very costly,” Young said of the consequences of a flue fire.
The U.S. Fire Administration reported that from 2013 to 2015, heating fires caused more than $500 million per year in damage to U.S. homes. The average loss per fire was $7,690.

While more than half of heating fires happen in a flue or chimney, the fires can also start with other types of heaters. Heating fires most commonly start between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to federal statistics.