Underground fire

[dandan111]

I have 3 acres of low ground muck. I cut and burn down there. I live on the out skirts
of town and technically I’m not to burn they way I do. Burning down there is fairly hidden.
Anyway this year during a dry spell I got an underground fire going. It had been smoldering
for probably 3 weeks. I got it out after a few days of watering and tractor grading. I never
called fire department but I was concerned for a minute.

Should I start burning down there again now that it’s not so dry?

I can move my burning up the hill but I’m guessing the town will stop by and shut me down
permanently. It’s not always huge fires but occasionally it’s pretty big. It’s hard to get rid
of brush if I can’t burn. The fire department did issue me a burn permit years ago when I
cleared the field. That fire was big and I’m glade I had the permit because the police did
stop by.

 

[irhunter]

You are asking random on-line people if you should illegally burn. Is that right?

It doesn't read like you have tried to get a permit recently. In the jurisdictions I am familiar with, permit availability is often linked to fire danger or drought metrics. Maybe now, or maybe sometime in the near future, a permit might be possible.

Roy

 

[dandan111]

I’m asking if anyone has ever had experience with muck more than anything but thanks Roy you can untuck your underpants.

 

[buzz sawyer]

Wow.

 

[irhunter]

Roy you can untuck your underpants.

Thanks for your concern regarding my panties.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I have 3 acres of low ground muck. I cut and burn down there. I live on the out skirts
of town and technically I’m not to burn they way I do. Burning down there is fairly hidden.
Anyway this year during a dry spell I got an underground fire going. It had been smoldering
for probably 3 weeks. I got it out after a few days of watering and tractor grading. I never
called fire department but I was concerned for a minute.

Should I start burning down there again now that it’s not so dry?

I can move my burning up the hill but I’m guessing the town will stop by and shut me down
permanently. It’s not always huge fires but occasionally it’s pretty big. It’s hard to get rid
of brush if I can’t burn. The fire department did issue me a burn permit years ago when I
cleared the field. That fire was big and I’m glade I had the permit because the police did
stop by.

What an odd post...
Not sure what muck is, not sure what an underground fire is...
Not sure what your question is...
Are you actually asking a question or just asking for permission to be right?

 

[dandan111]

Not trying to be odd, argue or look for permission?
I was trying to start a topic I’m not familiar with. It sounds like this is a
very upsetting post to you guys as to the way I worded it. Was going to
post a few pictures but I suppose I’ll let this post die.
Let’s talk about.. nothing. You guys win.

 

[ATH]

I wouldn't burn on muck. You're fortunate the fire went out relatively quickly...and yes, 3 weeks is relatively quick without a LOT of rain to flood the area. Of course, it may still be smouldering and come back with a good wind. Have you been back down there? you can literally burn the ground out from under you leaving a bid depression.

I'm certainly not opposed to the idea of burning brush just not sure that a much field is the best place for that.

 

[Chevboy0167]

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

"Muck" sounds like it's wet or damp, so how does it burn?

 

[HavinFun]

FWIW. Was fly fishing with buddies in Maine on Roach River. We had fishing permits, but didn’t know we needed a fire permit in an area bordered by rivers and streams. Game warden shows up and was cool, said not to burn fire on the ground. Said though we thought we put fire out at that spot, it can travel underground a good ways away and flare up after we’ve left. Something about root systems. YMMV.

 

[Willow S]

I have 3 acres of low ground muck. I cut and burn down there. I live on the out skirts
of town and technically I’m not to burn they way I do. Burning down there is fairly hidden.
Anyway this year during a dry spell I got an underground fire going. It had been smoldering
for probably 3 weeks. I got it out after a few days of watering and tractor grading. I never
called fire department but I was concerned for a minute.

Should I start burning down there again now that it’s not so dry?

I can move my burning up the hill but I’m guessing the town will stop by and shut me down
permanently. It’s not always huge fires but occasionally it’s pretty big. It’s hard to get rid
of brush if I can’t burn. The fire department did issue me a burn permit years ago when I
cleared the field. That fire was big and I’m glade I had the permit because the police did
stop by.

I am a retired forest ranger from New England and have had considerable wildland fire experience having fought fires from Alaska to Georga and many states in between. Fires can burn underground for months especially in areas with deep duff. I have seen fires rekindle in springtime even after a winter with heavy snow cover. I would never recommend anybody build a fire in areas of muck. I was assigned to a fire in Georga several years ago that burned for months in the Okefenokee swamp in Florida and Georga eventually burning around 90% of the swamp. Furthermore, I'm not sure about Indiana, but most states require fire permits for outside fires. In my state if you lose control of any outside fire you will be liable for suppression cost as well as any damages to neighbors property and likely fined by the state.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

I'm not sure what "muck" means in Indiana. I'm imagining a muddy or swampy area. Not something I would expect to burn.
Rules for burning vary by jurisdiction. Some rules are based on air quality, some for fire danger. I have lived in areas that have extreme fire danger six months out of the year, yet you can burn basically unregulated for the rest of the year.
I think a call to the local FD is in order. It's possible that you can get a free permit in November or maybe not need a permit at all. The underground fire is interesting. Maybe you hit a coal vein, or peat bog. Shows you how much I know about Indiana.

 

[ATH]

For those whom don't know...muck soils are very deep organic soils - like 6'+. Kinda like a peat big, but not quite. They don't sit wet all the time (obviously local variations). Underground fires are not uncommon in deep organic soils.

Oh, and just for kicks...when I opened this thread today saw the following add:




I'm not suggesting the Internet has a conscience to be able tell you things, but if it could....

 

[lone wolf]

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/new-jersey-arson-arrest/62867616