How to Use Kerosene to Burn Brush

Written By
Jackie Johnson
Jackie Johnson
Published: Jun 26, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read
  1. Contact your local fire department. Ask if you can burn brush in your area. Obtain a permit to burn, if necessary.

  2. Ask the fire department if it assists the public with burning brush. Sometimes a fire department provides this service as practice for its firefighters in executing controlled burns and putting out fires that get out of control.

  3. Check with your insurance company to see if it will cover any losses for burning brush on your own property in case a building or a neighbor's property is damaged.

  4. Rake the brush into a manageable pile and hose the ground around it with plenty of water in case embers travel. Wait to burn until the weather is calm, cool and humid.

  5. Sprinkle some kerosene in a small place near the bottom of the brush pile and light it immediately with a long match. Kerosene vapors will explode, but unlike gasoline, kerosene burns more slowly.

  6. Monitor the brushfire carefully. Equip several assistants with shovels and rakes in case the fire gets out of control.

  7. Verify that the fire and the coals are completely extinguished before leaving the area.

Warnings

Where permits are required, burning without one can result in a fine.

Jackie Johnson

Jackie Johnson is a published writer and professional blogger, and has a degree in English from Arizona State University. Her background in real estate analysis prepared her for objective thinking, researching and writing.

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