F T H O R O N Y T T O I N C F Improper ash disposal from T I R N E E D T M Proper indoor/outdoor fireplaces E P A R charcoal grills, and wood Disposal burning stoves causes www.cityofthornton.net 303-538-7602 of Ashes thousands of fires Fireplaces, Chimineas, Woodburners, etc. F T H O R O N Y T every year. T O I N C F T I R N E E M D E P A R T With the increased use of outdoor fireplaces and alternative heating/ Proper Disposal of cooking methods the Thornton Fire Department reminds you of proper Ashes ways to dispose of leftover ashes. Many people don’t realize the length of time required for ashes to cool enough for disposal. Even after several days a pile of ashes can hold The resident in this Four days enough heat to reignite apartment cleaned out and start a fire. his fireplace, placed (96 hours) the ashes in a card- board box and left is the them on the balcony. F T H O R O N Y T minimum T O I N C F T The fire from cooling I R N E E M period D E P A R T those ashes for ashes. caused this damage. Extra care should be used in the storage and final disposal • Make sure there are no hot spots in the ashes. Soak them in water or let them sit for several days and double check for hot spots. This applies to charcoal grill ashes as well. • All ashes should then be stored in a fire-resistant metal container with a tight fitting cover to keep air from blowing through which can leave hot coals exposed for reignition. Approved containers are available at local retailers. • NEVER throw out ashes in a plastic garbage • After sitting for a week in the metal container • Use a fireplace screen to stop sparks from can, a cardboard box, or paper grocery the ashes are then safe to dispose of in your flying, and never leave a fire unattended, bag. Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up trash. Put in the trash the day of your pick-up. particularly when children are present. ashes. • Keep anything that can burn at least three For open burning restrictions, go to • The metal container should be placed away feet from a fireplace or heaters, and create a www.cityofthornton.net/Departments from anything that can burn. three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires. /FireDepartment.