Chimney Fire At Winery Highlights Importance Of Clean Flues

OREGON CITY, OR — A chimney fire Sunday night at Christopher Bridge Cellars east of Canby reportedly caused around $10,000 in damage to one of the winery's tasting rooms, according to Canby Fire officials.

The fire at 12770 S. Casto Rd. reportedly spread quickly from the chimney to the tasting room's cedar shake roof, Canby fire spokesman Todd Gary said. It's unclear at this time how the fire and damage will affect the tasting room's scheduled openings. Calls to Christopher Bridge Cellars were not immediately returned.

With colder weather fast approaching, Gary offered a few tips for households and businesses that use wood-burning chimneys during the fall and winter — in order to help prevent other potentially destructive chimney fires.

"One question we often get from homeowners concerned about chimney fires is 'How can I tell if my chimney is on fire?'," Gary said in a statement. "We normally respond with these important indicators provided by the Chimney Safety Institute of America:

• Loud cracking and popping noise;
• Flames shooting from your chimney;
• Low, loud rumbling noise that sounds like a freight train or airplane overhead;
• A lot of dense smoke; and
• An intense, hot smell.

"If you’re in doubt about whether your chimney is on fire, dial 911 immediately," Gary added. "There are products on the market that claim to help extinguish a chimney fire by sucking out oxygen. We can’t vouch for the effectiveness of these products, nor do we think a fire raging in your chimney is the time to test them out. Dialing 911 is always your safest move."

To prevent a chimney fire from beginning in the first place Gary suggests hiring a professional and certified chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney every year. Gary does not advise cleaning your chimney yourself, as there is little margin for error and potentially fatal consequences if done incorrectly, he said.

Additionally, Gary recommends burning only dry or cured wood because wet and/or uncured wood can reportedly increase the buildup of creosote — an oily byproduct of wood burning — within the flue. Burning garbage in your fireplace is also ill-advised, Gary said.

Lastly, Gary said, maintain a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector close to your fireplace.

Chimney owners can locate a certified chimney sweep in their area by visiting the Chimney Safety Institute of America at csia.org.

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Image via Canby Fire District