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Lighting a spark

Bracebridge Examiner

By Andrew Hind

Sitting around a firepit roasting marshmallows is quintessentially “cottage.” There’s nothing better than sitting in a circle around dancing flames, huddled in that protective orange glow from the darkness of the encroaching night-time forest, feeling the warmth caress your face while you roast marshmallows, create sloppy s’mores and laugh until your belly hurts.

But while outdoor fires can be enjoyed at any time of year, they truly come into their own with the arrival of crisp autumn evenings when otherwise we’d be chased inside by the dropping mercury.

“Fire features extend the living space outdoors, and the light and heat of a fire extends the time people can enjoy the outdoors by allowing them to stay outside late into the night and into the cool fall,” explains Lisa Overholt of Rieger Contracting. “People are using their outdoor space more, making full advantage of their property. We find people use their outdoors differently in Muskoka than elsewhere, even in Haliburton or other cottage areas. They’re only here for a short while sometimes and really want to make the most of it!”

Outdoor fire features have come a long way from campfires around old tire rims or a simple ring of stones. The range of options available to property owners is extensive, offering something to suit every need or interest. But no matter what style you go for, the appeal remains the same and you can bet the feature will enhance your outdoor ambience.

Outdoor fire features have come a long way from campfires around old tire rims or a simple ring of stones.

“Today we have so many choices, ranging from our beautiful fire tables with granite tops to full-on outdoor fireplaces from Unilock that come complete with stainless steel chimney liners. People are incorporating cooking utensils, wood holders and pizza ovens. There are also many talented stonemasons in the area that can create a beautiful masterpiece with the many products that we have available,” says Sharon Baker of Earth Stone and Fire Inc, a Gravenhurst company specializing in outdoor living spaces. “The choices today are more beautiful, much safer and still endless!”

Of course, as is always the case when fire is involved, safety must come first. Before you even consider installing a fire feature in your yard, be sure to check out local bylaws and permit requirements for your area. Some municipalities provide a yearly firepit permit, and some have strict rules for times of day that burning is allowed. Other, mainly urban municipalities do not allow open air burning at all unless it is a small contained fire used for cooking (such as a barbecue). The exception is gas or propane firepits, which are generally allowed even in urban areas as long they are ULC- and CSA-approved, installed by a licensed gas fitter and operated according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Most municipalities and fire departments in this area post the current fire danger rating on their websites. It is important that people are diligent, make themselves familiar with this and take heed. Before disposing of ash, allow the embers to burn out completely and wait 48 hours. Wrap cold ashes in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place in a noncombustible container for disposal.

Safety plays a part when considering the location of your fire features as well. It must be located in an open area at least 10 feet from buildings, combustible overhead surfaces, and brush. Resist the temptation to place it under a gazebo or overhang so you can enjoy the warmth of dancing flames while rain drops tap upon the roof overhead; it’s beautiful imagery but simply not safe.

There are other factors beyond safety to keep in mind when deciding where to set the fire feature within your landscape design. Determine which way the prevailing winds blow, and site the fire feature so that the smoke will blow away from the seating area. If in doubt, stake small flags in the ground and observe which way they blow.

“Certainly the wind can be a major issue, and a hazard,” agrees Baker. “Our metal octagonal firepits come with spark screens for areas where proximity to trees and other combustibles could be an issue if the wind picks up. An ideal spot for a firepit is a level area, somewhat sheltered from the wind and without overhanging branches nearby.”

Another location-determining factor is purpose. If you want the fire feature to be a rustic, relaxed place to recreate those s’more-filled campfire evenings of your youth, the location should be well-removed from your cottage, ideally masked from view to create the illusion of wilderness camping. If you intend to cook on it, either as a replacement or complement to a barbecue, it should be located close to the cottage for convenience sake as you’ll be running back and forth from the kitchen. For leisurely relaxation, it should be a bit separate from the cottage but still close enough to be accessible. A good landscape designer will help determine the perfect spot to maximize the full potential of your fire feature.

“One of the first questions we ask (aside from location considerations) is related to the number of people that they generally expect to be sitting near or around this firepit. Certainly if a couple says that it is usually just them or up to four people, then there is no need for a large firepit. A smaller pit creates a much more intimate and cozier setting, not to mention that it requires much less wood (or fuel),” says Baker.

Choosing the fuel you’d like to use is a central consideration. As noted, gas and propane fire features are legal in even urban settings, but they require regular refilling of tanks (in the case of portable, store-bought features) or the laying of gas lines through the property. And while there’s a certain convenience, gas somehow lacks the appeal of wood. When it comes to enjoying the ambience of a fire, nothing beats good old-fashioned firewood. There’s nothing better than the crackling sound, the sweet scent and wildly dancing flames that come only with wood. Wood also adds a lot of smoky flavour. The drawbacks include the need for buying, cutting and storing well-cured wood, and allowing 45 minutes for logs to burn down to embers before cooking.

What form will the fire feature take? They come in metal, brick, block and stone. Selecting the material isn’t just about looks; each have their own pros and cons.

Stone is the most natural choice, so ideal for the cottage setting, and is very good at retaining heat. If you gather the stones and build the feature yourself it can also be very inexpensive, though be prepared to spend considerable time selecting, shaping and fitting stones together. Quarried stone, on the other hand, can be quite expensive but the end result can be absolutely spectacular, seamlessly complementing the Canadian Shield, almost as if the fire feature organically grew up from the rock beneath our feet.

Brick is a good choice because it’s handsome and easy to work with, it retains heat well, and, as a fire-hardened material, it doesn’t readily break down when exposed to the elements. On the other hand, it’s quite formal. Concrete block is less expensive than brick, but can look cold and unnatural, and doesn’t retain heat well – not a popular choice, and with good reason.

Metal fire features – the spiritual descendants of the tire rims of old – is still a very popular choice. Just look at

the sheer number of fire bowls sold at

home centres. They retain and radiate heat well, are safe and stylish, and can be relatively inexpensive.

“We sell steel firepits as one of the central features that we put into our overall patio design. Our steel pits are massive, they are five feet in diameter and so heavy they need to be moved by tractors – you won’t find them anywhere else,” says Lisa Overholt, hinting at the popularity and variety available when it comes to metal fire features. “To extend the season we have tripods that go over top for corn roasting, or even making hot chocolate in the winter.”

Regardless what form it takes, strongly consider a raised fire feature: they are safer for children and pets, they allow for better air flow, and you’re will be less likely to be bothered by smoke than a sunken firepit.

Outdoor fire features are a staple of the cottage country experience, and while the form changes the appeal remains the same. It’s all about relaxation, adding ambience, and extending the use of our properties. In fact, the rise in popularity of fire features in urban areas can be attributed to the current trend of creating backyard oases – miniature cottage-like settings – in one’s one backyard with an eye towards replicating the experience of a weekend spent in Muskoka.