CROSS JUNCTION—After a long, chilly day on their Christmas tree farm in Frederick County, one of the Clouse’s favorite things to do is warm up by their woodstove.
“When I’m plowing snow or if we’re working outside all day in the cold, it’s nice to be able to come in and get near the woodstove,” Ronald Clouse said. “It puts out a good heat.”
With their rustic charm and reliable warmth, woodstoves offer cozy retreats during frigid winters. But that comfort comes with responsibility. Without proper care and maintenance, they can pose serious fire risks.
The Clouses begin preparations before the first frost. Their chimneys are inspected and cleaned thoroughly each fall, and Ronald looks over the woodstoves—replacing cracked or deteriorating fire bricks as needed to keep them functioning safely and efficiently.
“I also check the chimneys about midway through the heating season” to make sure everything is still in good shape, Ronald added.
“The main issue we run into with woodstoves is chimney fires,” said Nathan Fox, assistant chief of Tazewell County’s Clearfork Volunteer Fire Department. “Mostly they’re due to poor chimney maintenance or burning wood that hasn’t been properly seasoned.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires and third leading cause of home fire deaths. Dirty chimneys, usually caused by creosote buildup—the highly-combustible residue that accumulates inside chimneys—is one of the leading causes of chimney fires. Burning wet or unseasoned wood, or issues with airflow, causes it to amass and left untreated, it significantly increases fire risk.
Fox has responded to attic fires caused by neglected, cracked chimneys. He emphasized having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors around the house, a fire extinguisher nearby and calling 911 “as soon as you think there might be a problem.
“Time is never on your side when fighting fire,” Fox stressed. “It takes time for dispatch to page the fire department and for firefighters to arrive. That phone call will get the ball rolling.”
Woodstove safety checklist:
- Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood—never wet or green wood, paper or plastic.
- Have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a professional.
- Keep a 3-foot clearance around the stove—free of rugs, furniture, drying clothes or flammable items.
- Inspect and maintain the woodstove. Check firebricks, inspect door seals and stove pipes, remove ash, and replace damaged parts as needed.
- Use dampers and air controls properly to regulate airflow and reduce creosote buildup.
- Fully extinguish the fire before going to sleep or leaving home.
- Store ashes in a lidded metal container at least 10 feet from the house.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and ensure everyone knows how to use it.
-Virginia Farm Bureau