Lake Tahoe fire safety - Always use ash cans and ash disposal dumpsters to prevent fires

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - As a way to prevent home fires caused by irresponsibly discarded ashes from fireplace (both indoor and outdoor) and woodburning stoves, local fire departments are offering ash cans, free of charge, as well as locations for free ash disposal.

Too often a garbage bag filled with warm ashes is placed on a wooden deck or near a home after being removed from a stove or fireplace, causing a fire. If the bag survived a night or two on the deck, warm ashes picked up by the refuse company on trash day can cause fires inside the trucks.

Ashes should never be placed in a plastic or paper bag,I or cardboard box.

Many people do not realize the length of time required for ashes to cool enough for disposal. Even after several days, a pile of ashes can hold enough heat to reignite and start a fire, according to the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD). Four days, or 96 hours, is the minimum recommended cooling period for ashes. Extra care should be used in the storage and final disposal.

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) has partnered with Kingsbury Hardware to provide ash cans to the homeowners of the Fire District for the safe disposal of hot ashes. This program is available free of charge to residents of the Fire District who use a wood-burning appliance to heat their homes. Vouchers are available to be redeemed at the hardware store, and there are a few cans available at Station #23 in Round Hill across the highway from Safeway.

People can dispose of their ashes at Station #23 in the red, "hot ash" dumpster. For more information on the TDFPD ash program, visit https://tahoefire.org/prevention/ash-can-program.

In South Lake Tahoe, the fire department is currently out of the ash cans but residents can find them for purchase at hardware or online stores. South Tahoe Refuse has free ash disposal at its transfer station. They also have a red, "hot ash" dumpster that is open during operational hours.

The residents in LVFPD can pick up ash cans, free of charge, at Station #7 on Keetak Street in Meyers. They also have a dumpster courtesy of South Tahoe Refuse.

For more information on the LVFPD ash program, visit https://lakevalleyfire.org/prevention/ash-can-program/.

In the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District area, Incline Village/Crystal Bay residents may fill out an application to get a can. If the required criteria are met, an ash can will be provided. Inside each ash can, residents will find the instructional flyer on how to properly dispose of fireplace ashes. Ash cans will be provided to qualifying residents on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information on ash disposal from NLTFPD, visit https://lakevalleyfire.org/prevention/ash-can-program/.

Below are some helpful procedures when disposing of ashes from LVFPD:

- Make sure there are no hot spots left in the ashes. This is done by soaking them in water or letting them sit for several days and double-checking for hot spots. This would apply to charcoal grill ashes as well.
- All ashes should then be stored in the fire-resistant metal container provided. This helps keep air from blowing through and disturbing ashes which can leave hot coals exposed for reigniting. They should NEVER be disposed of in a plastic garbage box or can, a cardboard box, or a paper grocery bag. Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up ashes.
- The metal container should be placed away from anything flammable. It should not be placed next to a firewood pile, up against or in the garage, on or under a wood deck, or under a porch.
- After sitting for a week in the metal container, check them again to be sure that they are cool. If so, the ashes are then safe to dispose of in your trash. However, we recommend ashes be disposed of in a flame-resistant bin provided by your refuse company.

If you live in another area, please contact your local fire district for the availability of ash cans and disposal locations.