Burn Day

Dad and I have been waiting for a little snow so we could set ablaze our burn piles. Well today, the Lord provided.

We put together a collection of old lumber and trees this summer with the intent of burning them this winter. Such a great way to dispose of old wood. 

We've had next to no snow all year. But last night, thanks be to God, we got a good 3". 

So we planned our work. With snow on the ground there was no danger of the fire getting out of hand. A dozer on site, though, would be handy to push the piles up. So we fired up Dad's little 350. 

Three piles awaited us. Fence posts, cottonwood trees, power poles and cedar shakes. 

Diesel fuel is a good starter, along with gasoline on top to really make it ignite.

Then we put a little gas on a shovel full of dirt.

Light it.

And let it buck. 

Uncle Phil came over when he saw the smoke. We touched all three off and once. 

Those fence post really wanted to burn. 

We had a bunch of junk in the tree pile. Once it got burning, Dad piled it up tighter. 

Didn't take long for the cedar shakes and power poles to melt down. 

As things burned, we continued to push the piles up. 

Not bad. Tree trunks are hard to burn completely. She'll probably smolder for a day or two. 

Poles and shakes went up nice.

Nothing but ashes from the fence posts.

Good stuff. We were ready. Once the snow hit, we went to work. There'll be a bit of clean up after the smoldering is done. But that will be worth it for as much rubbish as we got rid of. Fire is an amazing force. Used in controlled circumstances, it can do great good. Turned loose to run wild, it can do a lot of damage. We're thankful for the snow. It removed all fear the fire getting away. Ranching with patience.