There's nothing like sitting around a warm, cozy fire at night, especially during the fall season. It’s great for ambiance, good conversation, and roasting marshmallows. A fire pit can raise some questions for the savvy homeowner who wants to make sure of the best practices to avoid damaging their outdoor space. Your local lawn care experts have answers to your fire pit questions and great safety tips for your backyard bonfires.

Commonly Asked Questions About Using a Fire Pit

Can I put my fire pit right on my grass?

If you want to use a portable fire pit right on your lawn, just keep a few things in mind to protect your grass and to keep it healthy. A big concern when using a backyard fire pit is heat stress on the lawn. This can happen as a result of hot, dry conditions, like during the hottest days of summer, as the sun’s rays weaken your lawn’s ability to thrive. Fire near or on your grass can create the same issue if you don’t protect it. Another issue that can pop up is "ghost prints," which is when the grass doesn't recover quickly from pressure, like from a heavy metal fire pit, and leaves imprints. To avoid heat stress and ghost prints, lightly mist the grass surrounding the fire pit with water. Be sure to reapply the water frequently as it evaporates.

Do I need to put something underneath my fire pit?

Patio slabs are the best surfaces to place your fire pit on. Why? They are flat, stable, and will absorb any heat from the fire. They are an excellent option to protect your lawn from becoming scorched. The flat surface also reduces the risk of the grass below it being crushed by the heavy fire pit. Heat shields are another good option if a patio slab doesn’t work. Heat shields can be used on your grass, wooden decks, concrete surfaces, and many other surfaces. Heat shields are portable and easy to assemble. You just place one under the fire pit on a flat surface, and light your fire without worry. 

What are the safety steps I should be paying attention to?

Anytime you are burning something or working with fire, you should practice safety precautions. Be sure to check your surroundings before you light your fire. Flammable material like loose branches, debris, and leaf piles can become problematic if too close to your outdoor fire. In addition, the following are some other safety protocols to keep in mind when using backyard fire pits. 

• Keep the fire the level. Make sure the spot you choose for your fire pit is on level ground to avoid the risk of it moving or tipping over. 
• Stay near the fire. Never leave any fire pit unattended, in case something unexpected happens. Be sure to fully extinguish the fire before abandoning the pit or going to bed for the night. 
• Pay attention to others. Keep close supervision of children and pets near the fire pit. This is extremely important in grassed areas as children or dogs may be playing near the fire. 
• Have water ready. Keeping a bucket of water or a hose nearby to grab quickly is a good idea, just in case something goes wrong. 
• Light the fire safely. Don’t use lighter fluid or other chemicals to light your fire, as things can get out of control quickly. Using dry wood and a match or lighter and letting the fire build naturally is a better, safer course of action.  

Having a fire pit in your backyard is a perfect way to enjoy your outdoor space, especially as the temperatures get a little cooler. By following a few best practices, there’s no reason you can’t use your portable fire pit in your yard and still protect your lawn and be safe. Just take a little extra time to follow the necessary precautions to avoid damage and keep your family and friends safe.   

Spring Green is here to support you as you amp up your outdoor living space. Our team of professional lawn care technicians can help you with all your lawn care, pest control, and tree and shrub service needs. 

Get started and contact Spring Green today!