Has anyone had the first fire of the season?

We just did some beach camping here and even though summer is still raging, we had a fire.
Did silver maple for kindling, and a mix of red maple and live oak once it got going. My first time knowingly using red maple and liked it a lot. Glad I've got a good stash!

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Had 2 small ones just to take the dampness out of the house. This new to me house gets ZERO solar gain till the leaves come off.

 

Had to turn the AC back on today after being off for a month. Got up past 90 the last two days. House got up to 78 today and that was before noon so crank up the AC. Had a nice day kayaking and cooking dinner on the fire pit but ready to be done with hot weather!

 

Welcome aboard bciprince
Don't think I've seen you're post before tonight.

 

Ice, lots of it.

 

Seems as if the seasons have shifted back a month or so here. We shall see when fall actually arrives.

 

Got up to around 70 today with rain. Neighbor gave me some scrap rubber roofing so will work on covering stacks once it dries up. Said he can get me some more in a few weeks. With luck I will be able to cover all my stacks after this, at least I hope so as I think I sounded greedy to him by saying I would take all he had and if I can not use it I know others that can.

 

Still aways from a fire yet, Mrs. Mt. Man is still processing veggies, Blanching , canning, cooking and baking daily on the the propane cook stove which heats our small house unto itself. We usually don't light off the stove till late October or early November. One reason being she has pumpkins on and around the stove most years for decorations. The other is that I'm in no hurry to start burning, cause once we start it's 6 months of doing so. I'm still focused on cutting the wood I have here and the wood I have waiting to go get.

 

Gave it half a thought the other night, temps were in the mid-low 40's, little chilly cause we left the windows open till late. Glanced at the stove, more as an opportunity to dry out the cursed dampness but September is just too early. Then yesterday and day before temps were back up in the high 80's with this damm tropical dew point again.

I'm told there is an unofficial New England tradition/custom where the first fire just isn't lit until after a certain date, no matter what is happening outside. The official date for most is a matter of debate, for many Oct 15th, others Nov. 1st.
First year with the stove I was ready to turn the air conditioner on if I had to, to justify putting a fire in that stove.
Since then, windows closed, sweatshirts on, blankets on the bed, fine, but it's too early for a fire (inside). I have held into Nov. most years but the past few I will make exceptions.

 

You're not wrong on the New England tradition on the first fire.

 

Since I wanted to burn two face of pine this fall, I might have to mix it in with some hardwood if the temps get cold quick.

We're pretty dry here so if you can send some rain, I can burn some junk wood in the outside fireplace.

 

I saw an alert for your area but was wondering if it missed you, guess not.

 

Thank you. I've only posted a few times. More of a lurker than a poster!

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We are right there with ya...we put up around a 100 quarts of frozen sweet corn, 16 qu. spaghetti sauce, 20 qu. maters, etc.
Not too anxious for a fire inside yet (we have ours right now in the fire pit) lol.

 

I don't remember how much corn she froze, probably about 40 ears, and some corn shaved off the cob. Many, many qts. of summer squashes, and spag sauce from our maters. 18 qts pickles, and many canned maters. I know there is more stuff, winter squash, etc. The smart squirrel stores his nuts for winter. I guess we'd make good squirrels.

 

Lucky you! We got a fraction of an inch. We are very dry down here.