Maine's fire chiefs and the state fire marshal are worried that history might repeat itself this winter.
State Fire Marshal John Dean said the fuel crunch in the mid-to-late '70s caused by the Arab oil embargo brought not only long lines at gas stations, but also increased the use of wood stoves, electric space heaters and portable kerosene heaters.
That shift to alternative ways to keep warm led to a surge in house fires -- and fire deaths -- in Maine, he said.
"We average about 20 fire deaths a year here in Maine," Dean said Wednesday. "When we had the embargo, people started burning wood who had never burned wood before and we had fire deaths in the 50s or more, and that was very significant."
This time around, he said, he can only hope people are more knowledgeable about burning wood than they were in the 1970s.
One positive: More people are using smoke detectors than ever before, he said.
"But we do need to get the word out that people need to be careful," he said. "We're especially concerned with people hooking up their wood stoves improperly. They need to be installed correctly and vented into an unlined chimney that is in very good condition."
Burning green wood is another concern, he said. With more people using wood to heat their homes, there is a shortage of dry firewood.
Unseasoned or "green" wood greatly increases the accumulation of creosote in the chimney. Creosote is a product of wood smoke and moisture and is highly flammable.
"When a spark in a wood stove ignites it, it burns right up through the chimney," he said.
A fire that hot can crack a chimney, he said. If another fire occurs in that same chimney, flames will break through the brick and move into the walls or attic space, potentially causing a structure fire.
Gardiner Fire Chief Mark Kimball said chimneys in old homes are not always in good shape. If people living in those homes are struggling to pay their energy bills, they may look to save money on maintenance.
"If you're going to burn wood, don't be afraid to call the fire department and have us come and inspect your stove to make sure you start out with a safe operation," Kimball said.
Chelsea Fire Chief Shawn Ramage said he's already been on a chimney-fire call, and expects it won't be his last.
To avoid chimney fires, Ramage said, a wood stove should be installed by a professional. If it's already hooked up, call a local stove shop that offers chimney cleaning and safety inspections and have it serviced, he said.
"You can also check with the manufacturer of your wood stove like Vermont Castings, which has all the inspection and installation information online," Ramage said.
He called most space heaters extremely dangerous, especially ones with a glowing coil similar to a toaster's. They use a tremendous amount of energy and are highly combustible when they touch furniture, clothing or draperies.
Belgrade Fire Chief Jeff Stevens said his big concern is carbon monoxide poisoning from heating devices such as kerosene heaters.
"Anything to do with fumes -- K-1 heaters, wood stoves, even propane heaters -- anything that burns residue and is not ventilated properly can put out carbon monoxide," Stevens said.
He said people should install a carbon monoxide detector. Otherwise, toxic fumes -- which are impossible to see, taste or smell -- can kill people before they're even aware of the danger.
Dean said the National Fire Protection Association urges people to use caution when using these devices, by thinking fire-safety first.
And he said to check on neighbors, especially those who may not have enough money for fuel, the elderly and physically handicapped.
"I expect we're going to put out information from the governor's office shortly and come up with a safety checklist for people to remind them to be particularly vigilant this year," Dean said.
Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408
