City has no regulations for homeowners' wood-burning fire pits

Puzzled about something in our area? "Did You Ever Wonder?" is here to help. Send your questions to the address below.

QUESTION: After Penrose Hospital completed construction on its new medical tower, it demolished a building being used for doctors' offices at the corner of Tejon and Madison. Now, it seems to be a storage area for a huge mound of dirt. Who is using that property? How long will the dirt pile be there? What is going to happen with the property in the long run?With the recent articles from the fire department about the extreme fire dangers and how people should clear out brush and trees near their home, will there be regulations about using these in the city?Dean MyersBurning in fire-pit units such as the ones you're describing, grills and chimineas isn't regulated by the city fire code, according to Kris Cooper, deputy fire marshal."Currently the lot is storage for excess dirt from other improvement projects taking place on the Penrose Hospital Campus."Recreational fires such as outdoor campfires and bonfires have regulations from clearance to combustibles. Open bonfires require permits.Penrose-St. Francis Health Services spokesperson Tanya Dantzler had an answer for you about what was referred to as the 2131 Building (2131 N. Tejon St.).Plus it is likely they will be placed on wood decks and adjacent to wood houses."Originally built as physician offices, the building had also acted the G.E. Johnson Construction Headquarters, Auditors Office and a Focus Group Center."Last fall, the Penrose-owned brick building was demolished to make room for a new Family Temporary Residence for the Penrose Cancer Center. It would replace the Steven Stearman House near the parking garage on the Penrose Hospital Campus.Linda BowmanQUESTION: I now see wood-burning fire pits for sale everywhere. It seems an open fire, our recurring high winds and dryness is just asking for trouble.CONTACT THE WRITER: Send questions to linda.navarro@gazette.com with "Column Question" in the subject line; mail to "Did You Ever Wonder?," P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs 80901; blog gazettewonder.blogspot.com. No personal replies; because of limited space, not all questions will be answered.

CONTACT THE WRITER: Send questions to linda.navarro@gazette.com with "Column Question" in the subject line; mail to "Did You Ever Wonder?," P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs 80901; blog gazettewonder.blogspot.com. No personal replies; because of limited space, not all questions will be answered.

Tips For Inside and Outside Living

With the Spring bulbs once again starting to poke through our garden's previously frozen soil, we are now entering that time of year when many of us gardeners start getting very busy indeed. March is always the time of year when those garden chores like the pruning back certain varieties of roses and fruit trees, sowing grass seed and preparing raised beds for their summer and autumn harvests well and truly gets underway.

Sound: Perhaps you can create sounds that could be heard inside the main living area from outdoors? Perhaps the sound of relaxing trickling water? Wind chimes always work well.Other suggestions to help create a perfect Inside/Outside living area include:Garden architecture design has definitely changed over recent years though, in so much as some people have taken the concept of Inside/Outside living a step further...literally. Instead of simply having an area of garden reserved for table and chairs, some have actually designed their garden so it actually meets the home. This is very often through the use of patio doors or large glass windows butting right up to the garden's deck area without stepping up, or down. The advent of the increasingly popular 'glass curtain' has meant some lucky home owners can literally peel back the physical boundary between property and garden.If like many, you are an avid Barbecue enthusiast, why not build a custom outdoor cooking area? Spanish architecture brick Barbecues are becoming increasingly popular and literally give you an outdoor kitchen area. Plant wisely and you can go from plot to plate in minutes (ever tried growing your own Peas or Asparagus and serving them straight away?) Your outdoor plots are capable of producing a constant churn of 'cut and come again' produce.The term 'Inside/Outside Living' started being touted on many of televisions home and garden shows. For some, the idea of Inside/Outside living really refers to a decked area and a table and chairs, and where opportunity (and weather!) permits, using this area to eat, drink and socialise.Wildlife: Encourage birds to feed on feeders near to the back of the property. Grow shrubs and plants which will encourage pollinating insects. One of the cheapest and most common of bedding plants, the Marigold, is perfect for attracting the likes of bees and ladybirds, which in turn actually help defend your garden from common pests like aphids (greenfly, cabbage and carrot fly etc).Whilst many readers of this article might think that those most likely to benefit from taking this more adventurous, planned approach would be owners of sprawling country properties with acres of rolling grounds, you'd be very mistaken indeed. Some of the best examples of real Indoor/outdoor Living can be seen in urban environments. The larger terrace houses which grace the South London suburbs for example, often have rear extensions bolted on. Simply changing the rear facing wall of the extension so it features more glass (we've seen examples of 'all glass' walls) can help bring the garden into the home, on even the gloomiest of British summer days. At best, the smells and joys of the garden can be encouraged to waft into the property when the weather feels warm enough to peel back the glass facade.Lighting: The seasons in Northern Europe unfortunately make it near impossible to enjoy an all year outdoor living area without some serious heating solutions. But by using lighting wisely, the garden can at least be seen, and indeed feel, like part of the rest of the property all year round. Why not try solar powered lighting on decked areas and let the sun neutralise your electricity bill a little? Sunken deck lights work well and actually look better in the colder months. And don't forget low level coloured spotlights - a throw of light across a flower bed near the rear of your property not only aids security but also looks like an outside version of the indoor Standard Lamp.However, for many people, it's also the time of year when they can again start considering their extra room to their house. I am of course referring to their 'outdoor living' area where many a warm sunny evening will no doubt be wiled away with a cool Gin and Tonic or summer Barbecue.

So, if like many you start to feel claustrophobic at this time of year after enduring one of the worst winters the UK has seen in 3 decades, you can now start considering your outdoor living area. Don't let the rain stop you either - invest in a decent parasol and a wood burning Chiminea and after 1 or two of the aforementioned G&T's you'll not even notice our typical British Summer.

How To Create A Room Outdoors

Many people view their garden as an extension of their house. In fact, in recent years, the phenomenon of people extending the comfort and luxury of their homes into the �great outdoors� has grown dramatically. Fuelled by this massive change of consumer interest, patio and garden furniture manufacturers are developing stylish products to enhance the comfort and convenience of entertaining outside, whatever the weather or climate.

Creating an outdoor room is relatively easy. You should think about what effect you are trying to achieve; do you want it to be minimalist, light and cool, or do you want a more Mediterranean feel. Whatever look you�re after, there are some essential items that belong in any outdoor room.� A grilling and eating area � this is usually pulled together with a hearth product, such as a fireplace, a patio heater or a chimineaOther outdoor rooms take the concept further with the addition of pizza ovens, cocktail bars, water features, and pools.� Landscaping � raised flower-beds are a particularly good idea if you don�t have much space, as you can fit more in and they add interest. Tubs and a range of different heights of plants are also a good idea� Sculptures � These can help create a cohesive feeling within an outdoor space, in the same way ornaments can indoors. Try not to go overboard with these, though - one or two, depending on the size of your garden can work very well.� Lighting � ambient lighting is a very important factor in creating your outdoor room, as this will not only affect the mood, but also how long you can stay outside! Try lanterns, fairy lights, candles or solar powered lights

Other outdoor rooms take the concept further with the addition of pizza ovens, cocktail bars, water features, and pools.

Exert Caution When Handling Fire Pits

Everyone loves a good campfire, and fire pits recreate this ambient experience admirably. As a heat source, cooking tool and social gathering place, fire pits are fun and functional. But whenever dealing with an open flame, safety is paramount. Being prepared can be the difference between a good time and an unforeseen accident.

PlacementSmokeDismantlingToolsPokers and other tools are especially handy when dealing with fire pits. Log pokers are good for moving and rearranging logs that may have fallen or are precariously positioned. Other tools, including shovels and brushes, are more useful when cleaning up afterwards and do not necessarily help much as far as safety measures.Unfortunately, smoke is an avoidable part of the process when it comes to wood burning fire pits. Though difficult to control, try to keep away from and the direction in which the smoke is blowing and inhaling its fumes for obvious reasons. Smoke is a carcinogen and is especially harmful to individuals with respiratory ailments, including asthma. Some models of fire pit do actually come with a wind break which helps to control the amount of and direction in which smoke wafts.Igniting a fire is where a most people run the risk of endangering themselves. The most natural and safest way to start a fire is by using a simple and homemade fire starter (dry lint placed into cardboard egg cartons works especially well), then by using kindling and tinder to build up the fire so that it is easier to control. If you insist on using an accelerant of any kind (like kerosene) always keep in mind the adage �less is more.� You can always add more later on as needed, but your eyebrows won�t grow back so quickly if you start with too much. Many recent models of fire pits run on propane or natural gas so they require less constant attention, and many of these also come with built in safety shut-off mechanisms and pilot lights as an added safety measure.The most authentic type for a true camping, outdoorsy experience, wood burning fire pits are the way to go. They�re also, however, the hardest to control, and for this reason there should be basic steps taken to assure your safety. To differentiate, the most rudimentary of fire pits are handmade and consist of a dirt circle surrounded by stones. Models for purchase are more varied in design, and some, like the popular chiminea, come with chimneys. In any case, attention is the most important factor when burning wood. Do not leave open fires unattended for an extended period of time.Wood PitsFire ExtinguishersStarting Your FireWhen finding the right spot to put your pit, there are several factors to consider. If you�re in an urban or home setting, do not place fire pits onto wooden decks or patios. Rather, keep them on stone masonry or concrete floors whenever possible. In any case, make sure fire pits are away from low-lying branches, eaves and overhangs. Especially windy days are not good for fire pits, as embers may fly and the fire pit itself might take a tumble. Also, when setting up, be sure to clear away any dry leaves, twigs and other foliage in the area in the event of flying sparks catching them on fire. Whenever possible, use a spark screen, especially when handling young wood and saplings, whose logs tend to crackle more the greener they are.When you�re finished enjoying your fire pit, caution must still be exhibited when breaking everything down. Never ever move logs or fire pits that are still burning, glowing from embers, or have not fully cooled down to the touch. Not only do you risk burning yourself, but in the case of standing fire pits, the unit could fall over and catch something else on fire.

When you�re finished enjoying your fire pit, caution must still be exhibited when breaking everything down. Never ever move logs or fire pits that are still burning, glowing from embers, or have not fully cooled down to the touch. Not only do you risk burning yourself, but in the case of standing fire pits, the unit could fall over and catch something else on fire.

Visit The Pot Belly Stove Shop at Lockwood and win a cast iron chiminea

Try your hand at this quiz and see how much you know about good wood! 1 - Are sales of wood burning appliances in 2008/09 up by over 30% nationally? 2 - Have wood stove manufacturers been working overtime? 3 - Has the sale of wood as fuel soared? 4 - Is wood as a fuel increasingly being used to automatically fuel domestic, commercial, public and industrial facilities? 5 - Is flue gas from modern wood burning appliances carbon neutral with regard to climate change? 6 - Is wood a renewable resource unlike gas from Russia? 7 - Is it important to use seasoned wood? 8 - Is it possible to burn wood legally in smoke control areas? 9 - Could wood as fuel potentially save the user money? 10 - Are modern efficient wood burning cookers/boilers available where the fire can be seen and enjoyed whilst preparing meals and heating and home?

Five or fewer 'yes' answers - you need help.Pictured (above) one of the range of great stoves now available at The Pot Belly Stove Shop at Lockwood Road. Help and advice is always available on various heating appliances from the shop's expert staffSix answers and more means 'well done' but come and learn more at The Pot Belly Stove Shop.CAPTION(S):Visit The Pot Belly Stove Shop immediately..

Pictured (above) one of the range of great stoves now available at The Pot Belly Stove Shop at Lockwood Road. Help and advice is always available on various heating appliances from the shop's expert staff

Where there's smoke, there's another injustice

As the evening cooled off and the crisp autumn air settled in, we smelled the smoke.

Vicki Estes is a Topeka freelance writer. She can be reached at vaestes@sbcglobal.net.We could still smell something burning but didn't see anything on fire in the immediate area. We assumed it was a bonfire gone bad that Friday night and didn't concern ourselves with the commotion.Vandals recently damaged the Lincoln statue that overlooks my father's final resting place at Mount Hope Cemetery and overturned headstones belonging to loved ones long passed.I'm sure he was thinking, "Sure. We've just put new siding on the house and put in new windows, let's risk burning it down some chilly evening so the family can sit outside of the heated house and be toasty warm."No such luck, as we soon discovered. The foam substance had been applied by firefighters to douse a wooden play structure vandals had set on fire."We should get a chiminea so we can have a warm fire to sit by in the backyard," I told my husband. He smiled, as if to say, "Yes, dear," and continued on his merry way.We noticed the smoky smell after pausing the movie to make popcorn and refill our drinks. Not seeing smoke in the immediate vicinity and knowing the popcorn hadn't burned, we gathered our goodies and headed back into the basement, where it's easy to pretend we are sitting in a movie theater with all of the mounted animal skulls blocking our view of the screen.It was intermission on our regularly scheduled family night, which is really "daughter's" night since she picks the movie and dinner.We breathe a collective sigh of relief on weekend mornings when the park has been untouched by vandals. We cringe when we discover broken swings and beer bottles, empty beer cans and food wrappers tossed on the ground less than six steps from a trash can.Not too long after that discovery, the play structure disappeared, perhaps forever, a result of the constant vandalism requiring repairs to the playground equipment once enjoyed by the neighborhood children.If caught, what will the punishment be for vandals with such disregard for others? If history is any indication, they face probation, a fine -- not even a slap on the wrist.The next morning we noticed white foam, as thick as a fresh blanket of snow, in the park across the street. The last time vandals attacked the children's playground they left shaving cream on the slide, the swings and anywhere the children would touch. Perhaps they got a deal on a case of shaving cream again.

Vicki Estes is a Topeka freelance writer. She can be reached at vaestes@sbcglobal.net.

Alfresco ambience

EcoSmart Fire has launched a new line of energy-efficient designer fireplaces called Outdoor Ranges. Fueled by denatured ethanol, they offer a clean-burning, more environmentally sound source of heat and ambience than traditional fire pits or chimineas. And, these can also be brought indoors, requiring no vent or hard connection. Styles and prices vary from the utilitarian-looking stainless steel "Cyl" (pictured here) at $990 to the "Lantern," with its intricate cut-outs and bronze patina finish, for $3,990. All Outdoor Ranges are about 15 inches wide and span in height from 20 to 50 inches. CONTACT: EcoSmart Fire, ww.ecosmartfire.com.