What is mulch?
Mulch is a layer of organic material put down to cover or insulate topsoil in gardens, parks, and lawns. It can be made from wood chips, sawdust (compost), bark chippings/shavings, straw and other plant waste such as hay. It has a high moisture-holding capacity which means it keeps the soil moist for longer periods than bare ground without any added fertilizer or water after applied. The most important thing about using mulch is that you want to avoid letting it touch live plants because then they will die

Mulch is made from wood, which can catch fire. It’s important to know how to keep mulch piles safe and not cause a fire. To avoid this, it’s best to make sure that the pile is never too big and always kept away from any flammable materials. Read more in detail here: can mulch pile catch fire.

Mulch is often used in gardens to minimize soil erosion, decrease soil moisture loss, inhibit weeds, enrich the soil, and keep the garden tidy. Straw, ground rubber, bark, hay, ground recycled pallets, newspaper, and composted leaves are all examples of mulch. Mulch has several advantages, but is it flammable?

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When Does Mulch Become Flammable?

Mulch that is put too high – more than a few inches – might get overheated and catch fire. When there hasn’t been much rain, it’s been really hot, or there are strong gusts, the danger rises. Because mulch dries up rapidly, hot and lengthy periods of dry weather greatly enhance the danger of mulch fires. As a result, mulch fires are more likely to occur in the late spring or summer.

 

If cigarettes are left in or near the mulch, it may potentially catch fire.

If mulch is placed too near to or touches your property, it may catch fire, putting your home at danger.

It’s difficult to put out a mulch fire once it’s started.

Which Mulches Are the Most Fire-Prone?

Rubber mulch, according to a 2003 study, catches fire rapidly. Mulch that has been shredded burns faster than mulch that has been chunked. Brick chips, cocoa shells, sod, huge pine bark nuggets, and shredded hardwood are among the most fire-resistant mulches.

Pine needles ignite rapidly, according to a 2007 research, and both pine needles and huge pine bark nuggets burn swiftly.

 

Some organic mulches, such as shredded pine bark, do not ignite until they have been on the ground for at least six months.

What Can I Do to Avoid Mulch Fires?

Mulch fires may be avoided in a variety of methods, including the ones listed below:

  • Keep an eye out for fires, especially when the weather is hot and dry.
  • Ensure that mulched garden beds are at least 18 inches away from flammable objects and electrical equipment such as decorative lights. A mulch fire may be accelerated by pesticides, gas cans, and fertilizers.
  • Because individuals accidentally start many mulch fires, do not toss cigarette butts or matches on the ground; instead, place them in suitable containers away from mulch. In 2015, a large mulch fire broke out in Massachusetts owing to abandoned smoking materials in a mulched area. This fire resulted in the death of one person, the damage of property, and a $6.7 million loss.
  • If feasible, water mulched garden beds on a regular basis, particularly in hot weather. Because most mulch is black, it absorbs more heat and heats up faster. Inner temperatures are lower in moist mulch, making it safer.
  • To avoid spontaneous combustion, keep mulch between two and four inches deep. When large amounts of mulch are combined with chilly air, steam is produced. Heat is less likely to be trapped under thinner-spread mulch, lessening the danger of a fire. Gravel mulch may be a better alternative than wood mulch if your location is prone to flames. Reduce the danger of a fire by planting fire-resistant plants.
  • Around your gas meter and near flammable portions of a building or structure, use non-combustible mulch like rock or pea gravel.
  • Consider edging your home with a 10-20 inch strip of ornamental river rock. This serves as a barrier between your house and the mulch. This river rock may help guard your home from mold and rot caused by rotting mulch.
  • If you discover anything burning in a mulched bed, extinguish it as soon as possible. If you are not the owner, notify someone inside the property or contact 911.
  • Fire pits, outdoor candles, and fireworks should not be used near mulched plant beds.
  • Stone mulch is less of a fire hazard if you live in a hot, dry climate.

Last Thoughts

While mulch is useful to your plants and attractive to the eye, it may also constitute a fire hazard if not placed correctly or if preventative precautions are not taken. Remember that the safest mulches to use at home are gravel and rock mulches, however you may keep other mulches from catching fire by spreading them thickly on the ground and outlining them with rock.

As the “wet mulch fire” is a common question, it’s important to know that wet wood chips are flammable and can cause a fire. The best way to prevent this is by using dry wood chips instead of wet ones.

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