Using Wood Burning Stoves For Heat
Wood burning stoves make excellent heating sources. They’re fast, efficient, cozy, gives off a nice aroma and keeps the cabins nice and warm. Being in a forest, there is also plenty of fuel around. If there’s any fallen dead, you can simply grab the chainsaw and cut some rounds. Wood burning stoves also bring with it risk. Although the fires in the above photos weren’t wood burning stoves (cause of fire unknown, started underneath the deck), this is what could possibly happen as a result. When burning during the winter, be sure to be safe and careful, as to avoid any incident such as this.
Fire Extinguishers In All Cabins
There are fire extinguishers kept in all cabins. Upon a tenant moving out, if a fire extinguisher is not present, it will be replaced. If for whatever reason a fire extinguisher goes missing, please report it missing. If you know what happened to it, be sure to in the message. If you are following proper handing of a wood burning stove, the extinguisher should never be needed. Using a fire extinguisher is simple: Pull the pin, point and spray.
Please Note: Fire extinguishers can only be used once. As soon as the pin is pulled and the extinguisher is activated, it’s only good for that single use.
Keep Active / Working Fire Detectors
As annoying as they are when food gets burnt or cabins get hot-boxed (with weed, not cigarettes, please!) smoke detectors save lives. Every cabin should have one and they are tested and replaced if needed every time a cabin is vacated and made ready to rent. For long-term tenants (we love the lifers!) it’s important to keep up on fire detectors and be testing yourselves.
Keep the Wood Burning Stove Door Closed
And by closed, we’re talking about all the way closed! Failure to shut and secure the stove door is the #1 cause of related fires and this is easily preventable. Make sure that the door is secured all the way and has no chance of opening. Fires from open stove doors can result from either an ember flying out or a log rolling out. Both are capable of starting fires, especially if landing on something that’s highly flammable.
Chimneys and Flying Sparks & Embers
Chimneys also have the potential to cause fires. This is through the sparks that they send flying. Although we have never had a chimney fire start something serious, there has been isolated events that have burned some pine needles. If you feel your chimney needs cleaned, contact us. It’s best to be aware of what kind of fuel is around the structure. This includes the deck, under the deck and around the cabin. Pine needles generally collect and other fuel may be present as well. Mitigating this fuel can help prevent any ember from creating flame.
Renters Insurance Highly Recommended
Since the Aspen Mountain Cabins was acquired by the Hammond Family in the 70’s, there have been two fires which have resulted in a total of 3.5 structures burning down. There’s also been a handful of close calls. There’s also been major events such as the Missionary Ridge fire, which have come close but managed to stop short of the cabin complex (we did lose one structure up the hill to Missionary).
We live in a region that experiences frequent lightning storms with dry conditions each and every year. Fires are a natural occurrence as a result. We are fortunate to have a fire station just a few drives down from us, but that hasn’t stopped multiple structures from being lost in a single incident before. It has happened before and it will happen again. The question is: Will it be next year or 20 years from now?
The cabin structure is uninsurable due to a number of reasons (old an not up to code). Renters insurance is something that is valuable regardless of the insurance status of the renters, but definitely something that should be strongly considered given the fact that all structures on this property have zero insurance and zero ability to be insured.
Gathering Firewood From San Juan Forest
Permits to cut firewood on the San Juan National Forest are sold at agency offices and selected retail outlets between May and December. A minimum purchase of $20 allows the bearer to gather two-and-a-half cords of dead and downed firewood from the San Juan National Forest for personal use prior to December 31. Permits are divided into five separate tags; each tag is good for ½ cord of firewood. Tags can be used separately or all at one time. The appropriate number of tags must be validated and securely fastened to the load of firewood in a visible manner before the vehicle is driven from the place where the firewood was gathered. One household may purchase permits for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use.