Forest Fire Tree Logs

Logs from a stand that has burned over have drawbacks, including smell and a risk of damage from standing degrade. July 15, 2012

Question
There was a large fire about 60 miles from me a month ago and I have access to several loads of loblolly pine in the 18" to 24" diameter range. Is there any problem with milling them other than the sooty mess?

Forum Responses
(Sawing and Drying Forum)
From contributor J:
30 years of firefighting makes me think about being way upwind. Products of fire tend to linger (on turnout, clothing, etc.). So when you take your coat off at home, you poof the soot off and the wife and kids can suck it up for the next 24 hours or so. Chainsaw doesn't seem to like soot much neither. One green unit only got about 40 hours use but included structural fire, rescue, etc. Health hazards may diminish over time (rain/wind), which would also degrade logs, of course. Value normally dictates risk.

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From contributor W:
The logs are fine as long as it has not been too long a period after they were killed by fire. After they die, bad things start to happen that are not associated with the fire but with insects and fungi that degrade the wood and the rotting process begins. Loblolly will degrade fast on the stump. You really only have a few months.