Looking For Firewood

Stores are running out of supplies in the wake of the coming winter storm. Firewood is getting snatched up almost as soon as it's put out for sale. News on 6 reporter Omar Villafranca says you can

Friday, January 19th 2007, 5:58 pm

By: News On 6

Stores are running out of supplies in the wake of the coming winter storm. Firewood is getting snatched up almost as soon as it's put out for sale. News on 6 reporter Omar Villafranca says you can still burn wood in your fireplace, you just have to be careful what to burn and know where to find it.

Most people buy lumber for construction projects, but when people can't find firewood, they burn lumber.

â€œSome people are actually coming in and buying 2x4 for firewood. I don't recommend it,â€ said Wade Bean at Home Depot. â€œIt's pretty expensive to do it that way, but if you don't have anything else, there it is. We can do that.â€

Wade says just because a 2x4 is made of wood doesn't mean burning it is safe.

â€œSome lumber is pressure treated, it's got chemicals in it, it can give off toxic fumes. It can be harmful to humans and animals as well,â€ Bean said.

If you don't know how to tell the difference look at the color. Treated lumber has a green tint to it.

"Treated lumber, you'll see the difference in the color,â€ said Bean. â€œTreated lumber, they put a color in it so that you can see that it's different.â€

There's even some differences in treated wood you need to look out for. The old version of treated wood is very dark. The newer version has a green tint, but it's a little bit lighter, but it's just as dangerous to burn.

If you're looking for firewood check out Tulsa's Green Waste dumpsite on 56th Street North. They're plenty of firewood if you're willing to cut it yourself. And the best part? It's free.

â€œPeople don't know about it, is the main thing. But you come in here, and you'll see people that are in different areas and you kind of scout it out. And you'll see an area that has the pieces with the size you want and you go for it," Tulsa resident John Zimmerman said.

Tulsa Fire Captain Larry Bowles says lumber burn faster and hotter than firewood, so don't overload your fireplace.