How Long Are Embers Dangerous?

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

When fire strikes at home, no matter the cause, SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is on call to help.

There’s a serious amount of grilling going on. With the rise in popularity of smokers and pellet grills, combined with the always popular charcoal and propane models, more families are grilling more food than ever.

Add to that the ascension of backyard fire pits as a summer and fall hangout spot, and you’ve got multiple potential sources of fire outside at home, and all the more need for fire safety and awareness.

Any fire that burns needs fuel to keep it burning. If there’s nothing to consume, the fire goes out.

If you’re cooking with charcoal or pellets, or if you’re burning wood for your fire pit, those materials are your fire’s fuel, and the fire intends to burn them completely. But if a piece of fuel isn’t completely consumed, the remaining part is what we call an ember.

Embers Are Both Useful and Dangerous

Those glowing red or orange embers mean that there is a low level of combustion still happening inside the fuel material, be it wood, charcoal, etc., but not at a high enough level to create a flame (because there’s not enough oxygen available). Even so, the embers from a fire can burn as hot as the fires that bore them, and they can remain hot for a very long time.

Embers can be used to reignite a fire that has faded by stoking them and providing them with oxygen to consume. This is a good thing if you’re in an outdoor survival situation and ignition sources are scarce, but it can turn dangerous quickly in many situations.

A typical fire pit creates embers that can last hours or even days if not properly extinguished, and extreme situations are possible as well: A Sequoia tree in California that was burned in the August 2020 Castle Wildfire was found still smoldering an incredible nine months later, with live embers burning even after rain and snow covered it in the time since the fire began.

It’s Not Safe Until It’s Safe

The bottom line is that embers are dangerous until you are absolutely sure they aren’t. If you haven’t proactively prevented your ashes or embers from being able to reignite, you’re not finished at your grill or fire pit.

Responsible home ownership means ensuring all potential fuel is extinguished.

When fire strikes at home, no matter the cause, SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is here to help. Click or call to experience the total SERVPRO fire solution.