Do I need to keep a spark screen over my wood-burning fire pit or outdoor fireplace while it's burning?
Yes — at Waynesville's near-2,650-foot elevation the spark screen belongs over any wood pit or outdoor fireplace the entire time it's burning. Cool evenings arrive early and linger late here — the heating season runs about three weeks longer than Asheville's — so folks gather around outdoor fire more nights of the year, and every one of those nights is an ember risk.
A longer season means more nights under the screen
Because Haywood County's high valleys hold the cold, the outdoor-fire window here opens sooner in fall and closes later in spring than it does down in the basin. More use means more chances for a stray spark, and the tall ridges around town funnel wind that can push an ember well past the pit's edge. Keep the mesh dome or hinged screen closed while the fire's alive, lift it only to feed a log, and work the coals through it with a poker. Set the pit on a non-combustible pad, back from the house and any wood railings, and clear the ground of the dry leaves and pine straw that pile up in an older Hazelwood yard.
Mind the burn ban, then put it dead out
Haywood County issues burn bans in dry stretches, and when one's in effect a wood fire — pit or fireplace — is simply not allowed, so check before you strike a match. When the evening's over, soak the coals, turn them, and soak again until nothing is warm to the hand; a banked wood fire can smolder for hours. If the tending wears on you, a gas fire pit or [outdoor gas fireplace](/services/outdoor-fireplace-installation) gives the same warmth with no sparks and an instant shutoff. Waynesville runs a mix of natural gas and propane, so we'll match the burner to whatever fuel your street has. We're about 35 minutes west — call (828) 545-0525.
Wind is the wild card up here
At this elevation a calm evening can turn gusty fast as air drains off the surrounding peaks. On a breezy night, keep the fire smaller, keep the screen fully seated, and don't count on a lull holding. A permanently plumbed gas feature sidesteps the whole gamble.
Fireplace help in Waynesville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Waynesville and the rest of Haywood County — just 35 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.