By Bob Reif
Fire and Life Safety Specialist
Are you old enough to remember the hilarious mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap" in which 18 of the eponymous rock band's drummers “spontaneously combusted" on stage? Drummers aren't the only ones who spontaneously combust. Consider your compost pile, mulch, and landscape wood chips.
All of these things are made up of continually decomposing organic materials. If they are piled too deep and exposed to direct sunlight, high ambient temperatures and relatively low humidity, they can start burning all on their own. Accordingly, homeowners should be mindful of where these materials are placed or used, and of not letting them get too dry when summer temperatures take hold.
Ecologically-minded folks have taken to the practice of composting lawn clippings and yard waste, and even organic kitchen waste. And while many people are placing those things in black plastic bins made for the purpose of composting, there are some who simply start an ever-growing pile behind – and often up against – the garage, a shed, a wooden fence, or under trees that line the property line behind the house.
Under the right circumstances these decomposing heaps can generate enough internal heat to begin smoldering and – if not monitored and maintained – erupt into open flame that will spread fire to nearby combustibles. So…
Water your compost pile and landscape woodchips or gardening mulch occasionally. Though some landscapers suggest you place wood chips at a depth of 4 to 7 inches, you'll reduce the possibility of spontaneous combustion if you keep those chips to a maximum depth of 2 to 4 inches, and generally speaking, the larger the bark pieces or chips, the less likely they are to burn. If you really want to be safe, don't use wood chips within five feet of your house or garage.
