Recent cold weather has caused people to use wood stoves more, and that has led to an increase in chimney, or stack, fires responded to by Homer Volunteer Fire Department and Anchor Point Fire Department firefighters. Two fire calls last week to stack fires on Marlea Avenue and Hillside Place have been typical of recent fire calls. In both cases, residents put out the fire before firefighters arrived.

"I think it's just people burning more and longer and hotter," said HVFD Chief Bob Painter.

None of the reported fires has caused major damage.

"We've been really lucky so far," said Anchor Point Fire Chief Keith Sullivan.

Firefighters advise homeowners to check chimneys for creosote, the flammable substance that can build up in chimneys. Creosote tends to build up when wood stoves are run slow to build up heat, Sullivan said.

Regular cleaning with chimney brushes cuts down on creosote build up.

"People need to step up their cleaning," Painter said.

Both departments loan brushes and rods for free and are available at the Anchor Point Fire Station on Milo Fritz Road and the Homer Fire Station on Pioneer Avenue. Check out brushes during regular business hours from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at both stations. Because firefighters could be out on a call, phone ahead. Call the Anchor Point Fire Department at 235-6700 and the Homer Volunteer Fire Department at 235-3155.

Firefighter also advise safely disposing of ashes when cleaning stoves. Put ashes in a metal can, and set outside to cool away from anything flammable. Sullivan said he just spreads his ashes on a snow-filled corner of his lot or on his gravel driveway.

Don't put ashes in Dumpsters, Painter said. That has led to another problem -- fires in the big green Dumpsters at Kenai Peninsula Borough waste sites.

If a stack fire starts, Sullivan advised first calling 911 and then putting a little water on the fire to create steam. The steam cools off the stack and puts out the creosote fire. Too much water may put out the stove fire before the stack fire goes out. The idea is to keep creating enough steam to cool down the stack. Firefighters still need to inspect the stack fire to make sure it did not spread to the roof or attic.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.