Unless I’m misunderstanding, root fire is usually an issue for big vines & tree stumps and the like. Monoculture turf roots like that would probably decompose pretty quickly after the first fire kills the grass (assuming they properly douse the fire)
The grass roots aren’t the issue, Without seeing a 360° view, we don’t know how close the nearest tree is. Some tree roots grow quite a ways to the sides, and can be hiding just under the soil.
For my last house, I dug about 6 inches down, and put a layer of gravel to fill up to the ground level. Pea gravel on bottom 3 inches and larger inch or so gravel on top. Then spaced the bottom ring so there was about 1.5-2in of space for air to flow in.
I also tried covering the inside of the stones I used with leftover high temp cement from making a blacksmithing forge, but it didn’t adhere well to the stone and flaked off after a couple uses. it would probably do better on concrete retaining wall slabs.
I built it to last, for sure. But I wouldn’t say I over-built it.
This kind of ring in OPs pic is probably fine for their purposes, but it’s always good to be aware of things like root fires.
The risks are very tiny with sod. I’ve never seen a grass fire travel underground and as a retired firefighter, I’ve seen and fought a few 1000 acres of grass fires. Nor was it was even mentioned as a possible training scenario. Now it is possible for a forest fire to burn down into the ground because of the roots that trees have.
We’ve had about 40,000 acres of forest fire up here in the Arrow Head region of northern Minnesota this past summer. Only one fire is having issues with underground burning. And there was a lot of fire burden from standing dead trees and dead falls. Which are the cause of the under ground fires. They estimate by January of February this winter the fires will burn out.
The only thing I don’t like about fire rings is needing to mow around them…
Remember that fire can travel underground through plant roots.
I’d recommend digging up the grass in the center and filling in the hole with a layer of sand.
Unless I’m misunderstanding, root fire is usually an issue for big vines & tree stumps and the like. Monoculture turf roots like that would probably decompose pretty quickly after the first fire kills the grass (assuming they properly douse the fire)
The grass roots aren’t the issue, Without seeing a 360° view, we don’t know how close the nearest tree is. Some tree roots grow quite a ways to the sides, and can be hiding just under the soil.
For my last house, I dug about 6 inches down, and put a layer of gravel to fill up to the ground level. Pea gravel on bottom 3 inches and larger inch or so gravel on top. Then spaced the bottom ring so there was about 1.5-2in of space for air to flow in.
I also tried covering the inside of the stones I used with leftover high temp cement from making a blacksmithing forge, but it didn’t adhere well to the stone and flaked off after a couple uses. it would probably do better on concrete retaining wall slabs.
I built it to last, for sure. But I wouldn’t say I over-built it.
This kind of ring in OPs pic is probably fine for their purposes, but it’s always good to be aware of things like root fires.
The risks are very tiny with sod. I’ve never seen a grass fire travel underground and as a retired firefighter, I’ve seen and fought a few 1000 acres of grass fires. Nor was it was even mentioned as a possible training scenario. Now it is possible for a forest fire to burn down into the ground because of the roots that trees have.
We’ve had about 40,000 acres of forest fire up here in the Arrow Head region of northern Minnesota this past summer. Only one fire is having issues with underground burning. And there was a lot of fire burden from standing dead trees and dead falls. Which are the cause of the under ground fires. They estimate by January of February this winter the fires will burn out.
The only thing I don’t like about fire rings is needing to mow around them…
No offense, theres some big time fire nerds in here.
Not nerds, just folks trying to share important information you likely don’t know.
Fire is dangerous. None of us want to see you get hurt.
I dunno, OP doing their level best to convince us otherwise all over this thread…
I’ve been playing with fire for 40 years.
As a retired firefighter, I played IN the fire for 20 years. But I ain’t right in the head either…
Now you guys be safe out there!
my uncle Barry (retired firefighter) would say “pick ONE”
Not to argue with your Uncle, but my observation is you require one to be the other.
Someone is kinda making a fool of themself in this thread
Watch out Big Fire runs this website