What You Should Never Stack Near the House in Fire Season

Fire season doesn’t give you much warning. All it takes is a hot, windy day and something dry too close to the house. If you’ve got stuff piled in the wrong spot, it can feed a fire or send embers straight toward your siding.

You don’t have to live in the middle of the woods to take this seriously—if it can burn or blow, move it now.

Firewood and Brush Piles

Stacking firewood against the house is one of the worst things you can do during fire season. It might be convenient, but it’s also dry, flammable, and usually full of spiders or wasps.

Keep firewood at least 30 feet away if possible. The farther, the better. Same goes for brush piles, fallen branches, or anything else that could turn into tinder.

Cardboard Boxes or Paper Trash

Even one gust can carry a burning ember into a pile of cardboard. And once it catches, it moves fast. Paper goods have no place stacked next to the house—ever.

If you’re waiting on burn bans to lift, move it to a covered location far from your buildings. Or better yet, haul it off.

Bags of Mulch or Straw

Unopened bags can still ignite if the plastic melts or an ember slips under the edge. And loose straw or mulch? That’ll feed a fire fast and throw ash everywhere.

Store those materials well away from your home. If you’re using them around beds or pathways, wet them down if temps are high and the wind’s up.

Old Furniture or Mattresses

It’s easy to set these out with plans to haul them off “soon.” But the stuffing and fabric inside catch fast, and they’re often too close to vinyl siding, propane tanks, or porches.

If you can’t haul it immediately, move it far away from any structure. Out of sight isn’t enough—it needs to be out of danger.

Gas Cans and Fuel Containers

Even empty cans give off fumes. If they’re left near the house, it’s not just a fire hazard—it’s a recipe for an explosion if something ignites nearby.

Store them in a proper outbuilding or metal cabinet, and check for leaks. Fire season isn’t the time to be casual with fuel storage.

Scrap Lumber and Pallets

Loose boards, pallets, and leftover project pieces are usually dry, dusty, and full of splinters—exactly what a grass fire loves to find. And if they’re close to your walls, it’s a fast track to real damage.

Either use them, move them, or store them in a sealed container. Don’t let old building materials put your house at risk.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.