Proper Disposal of Hot Wood Ashes

Greentree Solid Waste Authority

Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico 88346

www.greentreeswa.org

Phone:     (575) 378-4697       FAX       (575) 378-4896

Out.  Dead.  Cold:

Proper Disposal of Hot Wood Ashes

Improper disposal of hot wood ashes is causing continuing problems for local fire departments and solid waste collection operators. Emergency fire calls involving either hot wood ashes in trash collection or outside local residences have been answered north of Ruidoso recently by area fire departments.  Several dumpster or compactor fires also occurred recently due to improper disposal of hot ashes. Improper placement of hot wood ashes in trash collection dumpsters or compactors has resulted in lingering trash fires inside of solid waste collection and disposal equipment.

What can you do to prevent truck, forest and field fires from igniting from hot wood ash?

• Dispose of wood ashes in a metal container that can be tightly closed, douse with water, place the closed container outside your home away from combustible materials and leave in the container for several days before disposing of them. (Did you know that many people dispose of their wood stove ashes in garbage containers that are often plastic or even paper bags? It doesn’t take much heat for these types of containers to burst into flames, causing trucks, dumpsters or compactors to catch fire)
• Teach other family members about the dangers associated with hot ash disposal
• Be careful with ashes around areas you might not consider as combustible during wetter times such as mulched flowerbeds and lawns that are drought stricken.
• Do Not Place hot ashes in a trash or recycling dumpster or compactor where there are certainly other combustible materials
• Do Not Dispose of ashes in a paper, plastic or cardboard containers
• Do Not Assume the ashes are cold and pour them onto the ground (even into a hole) where leaves can blow onto them or the wind can stir up sparks.

Once you are POSITIVE your container of ashes is “Cold”, place them in a pile and prepare your container for the next load. Tourist visitors to the area should take no chances by simply drowning their wood ashes before leaving the area.

A limited number of specially marked wood ash collection dumpsters are located at the following waste collection sites: Sun Valley; Cedar Creek; and Ranches of Sonterra.

The typical wood stove or fire place used most of the heating season will generate about

50 pounds of wood ashes. Cold ashes can be spread around the base of trees to provide a quality tree fertilizer.

For more information on proper wood stove and fireplace ash disposal, contact the Solid Waste Authority office at 378-4697, toll free at 1-877-548-8772, via email at gswa@greentreeswa.org or contact your local Fire Department.