Stack firewood on a raised steel rack at least 20 feet from the house, cover only the top of the stack so the sides can breathe, and burn wood once a moisture meter reads under 20 percent on a freshly split face. Bring in no more than a few days' supply at a time, and buy or cut firewood locally so you do not move tree pests to new areas.
Why placement matters
A woodpile against the house is a highway for termites, carpenter ants, and mice, and it adds fuel right next to your siding. A distance of about 20 feet is a common recommendation from extension services and fire safety groups. In wildfire-prone regions, local codes may ask for 30 feet or more. Put the rack on a level, well-drained spot with good sun and wind, which speeds drying.
Keep the stack off the ground. A rack that holds the bottom row 4 to 6 inches up keeps wood from wicking moisture and rotting, and leaves less shelter for rodents.
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The most common storage mistake is wrapping the whole stack in a tarp. That traps moisture and grows mold. A top cover that drapes down only 6 to 12 inches sheds rain and snow while air moves through the sides. Many rack covers are built this way, or you can buy a full cover and roll the sides up.
| Setup | Result |
|---|---|
| Raised rack, top cover, open sides | Dries well, stays clean |
| On the ground, no cover | Bottom rows rot, top rows soak after storms |
| Full tarp wrap | Traps moisture; mold and slow drying |
| Stacked against the house | Pest and fire risk |
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How to tell when firewood is ready
Freshly cut wood can be 40 percent water or more. Most hardwoods need 6 to 12 months of drying after splitting, and dense species like oak often take longer. Seasoned wood is lighter, shows cracks on the ends, and sounds hollow when two pieces knock together, but a pin-type moisture meter removes the guesswork.
- Split a piece from the middle of the stack.
- Push the meter pins into the fresh face, along the grain.
- Read 15 to 20 percent: ready to burn. Above 20 percent: give it more time.
Wet wood smokes, wastes heat, and builds creosote in the chimney, which is a leading cause of chimney fires.
Stacking and safety
- Wear leather gloves. Bark hides splinters, and woodpiles shelter spiders, wasps, and the occasional snake in warmer months.
- Keep stacks stable and modest in height. A rack with end supports prevents rolling logs. Free-standing stacks taller than about 4 feet can topple, so keep children from climbing on them.
- Lift with your legs and carry modest loads. A garden cart or dump wagon saves your back between the rack and the door.
- Bring in only a few days' worth. Insects hiding in the wood wake up in a warm house.
- Cutting your own? Read our guide to chainsaw safety gear for storm limb cleanup before you start. A folding pruning saw handles small kindling branches.
Do not move firewood
Invasive insects such as the emerald ash borer and spongy moth travel long distances in firewood. Buy wood near where you burn it, or choose heat-treated firewood with a certification label. Many states restrict moving firewood across county or state lines.
Kindling and indoor storage
Keep a small bin of kindling and a few days of split wood in a dry spot near the door, such as a covered porch or an indoor log holder on the hearth. Keep indoor wood at least three feet from the stove or fireplace opening, and sweep up bark and debris so it does not become fuel near the hearth.
After the burn
Ash from your stove can help acidic soil in small amounts, but it needs testing and careful storage first. See our guide to wood ash in the garden for safe amounts.
Bottom line
Use a raised rack, a top-only cover, and a spot about 20 feet from the house, and check readiness with a moisture meter instead of guessing. Dry wood burns hotter and cleaner, and a tidy rack keeps pests away from your foundation.
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