This section covers the disposal of the hazardous fuels, which are known as slash after they are cut.  Used properly, controlled fire is an excellent way to prevent out of control wildfire.  Following are some common sense tips on how to burn slash:

• Contact your local fire district for the appropriate permits and advice.  The county districts are located under each county on this website.
   
• Contact the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality or 208-769-1422 for air quality information.  Simply said, well constructed piles should be burned on days when their relatively light smoke will dissipate well.
   
• A well constructed pile is compact and should resemble a large rounded loaf of bread.  Its compactness will contribute greatly to high heat and almost total combustion of the slash.  As it burns down pitch the unburned pieces back together.  Challenge yourself to make as little smoke as possible and have only two gallons or so of ashes when finished.
   
• Have at least a portion of the pile covered so there is a dry area to light.  This dry area can be successfully lit and total pile combustion accomplished, even with rain falling or snow on the ground.  These wet conditions are obviously the safest time to burn anyway.
   
• Use a propane torch (often called a weed burner) to light the piles, because it has the best sustained heat.  The torch can be bought separately and connected to one of your barbecue tanks.  Once the pile is lit, use of a leaf blower is a good technique to speed up the process.  Other igniters like gasoline and diesel don't have near the heat and are both dangerous and messy; no experienced professional would even consider them.
   
• Since much of the piling of slash is hand labor,  the slash cannot be carried great distances.  This sometimes results in piles built near other trees in the best practical open areas.  Our trees have evolved with fire, so they are somewhat heat resistant.  A few scorched limbs will not bother them, but a burnt trunk will. Some ways to mediate this are as follow:
   
  • Light the part of the  pile nearest the tree about which you are concerned.  This will be the coolest the fire will ever be.
     
  • If the pile gets too hot, cool it down with a garden hose.
     
  • Lean an old eight foot piece of metal roofing against the tree of concern.  The roofing will act as a deflector shield.
     
  • Burn when conditions are cool and the wind is favorable.
     
• The picture above illustrates a well located and constructed pile, typical of this work.