Window box fire sparks warning about dry peat moss, mulch near homes
Antigonish County couple say they had window box for years without issue
Michelle Smith-March never imagined the flower box outside her Antigonish County home could nearly burn it down.
On a hot June afternoon, Smith-March was away at work. Her husband, Wayne, was doing some yard work when he spotted flames climbing up their siding.
"He immediately ran inside and grabbed the fire extinguisher," Smith-March said.
"He's a former firefighter, so we always have an up-to-date fire extinguisher, thank goodness, in the house. So he grabbed that and ran outside and put it out."
She had no idea how the fire started, as there was no smoking, no fire pit, and nothing electrical near the window box.
After searching online she learned that dry peat moss can catch fire.
The couple had used peat moss in their wooden window boxes for six years without issue. But after an unusually hot, dry stretch, the dense soil smouldered unnoticed before erupting into flames, she said.
The couple has since removed the window box and doesn't intend to replace it.
"I shudder to think of what might have happened if he wasn't at home or if he hadn't gone out when he did," Smith-March said.
Alarmed by the experience, Smith-March posted about it on Facebook to let other people know about the possible hazard.
Robert MacPherson, deputy chief of the Antigonish Volunteer Fire Department, said he is not a fan of window boxes and doesn't recommend them due to their proximity to the house.
He said while combustion in window boxes is rare for the area, peat moss and mulch are known fire risks when overly dry.
MacPherson said such fires often start from cigarettes or reflected sunlight but decomposition and heat buildup can also ignite dry material.
In his 39 years with the fire department, MacPherson said he is only aware of a couple of window box fires but they respond to about five mulch fires every summer.
People who have window boxes should ensure they are built out of non-combustible material.
He recommends limiting the depth of the soil, keeping it well watered, using smaller plants, and removing any dry or dying plants as soon as possible.
Kara McCurdy, wildfire mitigation program manager for Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, also urges homeowners to ensure combustible materials are kept well away from structures.
She said mulch, shrubs with needles or peat moss should be at least 1.5 metres from the foundation.
Past fires in the Halifax area have shown that fire embers can spread anywhere from 500 metres up to five kilometres away from the head of the fire, she said.
"So it doesn't matter if you live in downtown core of Halifax, you know, if just that fire ember from any kind of smoke or fire activity close by, it can definitely land in these materials and catch your home on fire."
McCurdy recommends using a material like gravel around foundations.
Smith-March said sharing her story is about prevention and she has already heard from many people online who were unaware of the potential fire risk.
"You don't know what you don't know," she said. "But once you know it, it's good to share it with others."