Before You Light the First Fire: A Fall Checklist
The first fire of the season is when hidden problems show up. Work through these eight checks before you light it.
The eight checks
These eight checks cover the things that most often go wrong on the first cold evening.
- Yearly inspection done. NFPA 211 calls for a chimney inspection once a year. If it has been more than a year, book one before you burn.
- Flue is clear. Open the damper and look up with a flashlight. You should see daylight or the underside of the cap, not a nest.
- Damper opens and closes. It should move freely and open all the way.
- Cap is in place. From the ground, check that the cap is on and upright.
- Alarms work. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace the batteries.
- Firewood is dry. Cracked ends, light for its size, a hollow sound when two pieces are knocked together.
- Hearth area is clear. Keep rugs, furniture, decorations and firewood at least three feet from the opening.
- Ash container is ready. A metal bucket with a lid, kept outside.
How to light the first fire
Start small. Warm the flue first by holding a lit roll of newspaper up near the open damper for a minute, then light a small fire of dry kindling and add larger pieces once it is drawing well. A cold flue is the usual reason the first fire of the year smokes.
What to watch for on the first burn
Stop and put the fire out if smoke comes into the room and does not clear within a couple of minutes, if you smell something other than wood smoke, or if you hear anything moving in the chimney. Each of these is covered in our chimney and fireplace problems pages.
Not inspected this year?
Call (816) 239-8989Why fall is the busy season
September and October are the busiest months for chimney sweeps, because most people think of the chimney when the weather turns. Booking in late summer, or better still in spring, means a shorter wait. Our Missouri chimney maintenance calendar lays out the year, and a chimney sweep with inspection starts at $199.
Common questions
Can I use my fireplace if it has not been inspected this year?
It is not recommended. NFPA 211 calls for an inspection once a year because nests, fallen tiles, creosote and water damage cannot be seen from the living room. Lighting a fire under a blocked or damaged flue risks smoke, carbon monoxide or a chimney fire.
How far should furniture be from a fireplace?
Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from the fireplace opening. That includes furniture, rugs, curtains, decorations, firewood and holiday greenery. Use a screen or glass doors to contain sparks, and never leave a fire burning when you go to bed or leave the house.
Where should carbon monoxide alarms go?
Put a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area, following the manufacturer's instructions for height and placement. Test them monthly and replace the unit when it reaches the end of its stated life, usually five to ten years.
Why does the first fire of the season smell?
Dust that settled in the firebox and on the damper over the summer burns off in the first fire, and a cold, damp flue releases a stronger soot smell as it warms. The smell should fade within the first hour. If it persists, have the flue checked.
Should I open a window when I light a fire?
In a tightly sealed house, opening a nearby window an inch while you light the fire helps the chimney start drafting, because the fire needs air to replace what goes up the flue. Once the fire is established you can usually close it.