Moisture is the enemy of well-seasoned firewood. In humid areas, logs can collect dampness from the air and the ground, leading to mold, rot, and bug infestations. A few strategic moves, though, will keep your wood burn-ready no matter how muggy it gets.
Elevate Your Wood
Never stack logs directly on the ground, especially in humid climates. Use pallets or a simple wooden rack to raise your pile. This setup lets air circulate under the wood, helping it stay drier. It also prevents ground moisture from creeping into the bottom layer of logs.
Cover Only the Top
While you need to protect firewood from rain, sealing the entire pile traps humidity and fosters mold growth. A tarp or lean-to roof that only shields the top of the stack works best. Keep the sides open so air can flow freely. If a storm rolls in, you can briefly cover the sides too, but peel it back once the rain subsides.
Split Your Wood Early
Splitting wood exposes more surface area to air, speeding up the drying process. In a humid climate, this advantage is crucial. Aim to split logs soon after cutting. This step matters most for dense hardwoods like oak or hickory, which already take longer to season.
Rotate the Pile
Occasionally shuffle the pile around to ensure even drying. Move older logs to the front so they get used sooner, and shift inner logs to the edges where they can catch a breeze. This rotation helps prevent mold from festering in hidden spots.
Consider a Fan or Dehumidifier
If you have an enclosed porch, garage, or shed, placing a small fan or dehumidifier nearby can help. The constant airflow or moisture removal makes a big difference in how quickly your wood dries. Just remember to keep that indoor space ventilated—no one wants mold forming on the walls.
Watch Out for Mold or Slimy Bark
Give your wood a once-over every couple of weeks, especially during stretches of hot and humid weather. If you see fuzzy mold or notice a musty smell, separate those logs immediately. Burning slightly moldy wood isn’t always dangerous if it’s fully dry, but you don’t want the fungus spreading to the rest of your stack.
Final Thoughts
Storing firewood in a humid climate demands a bit more diligence, but it’s definitely doable. Keep the logs off the ground, cover just the top, allow airflow, and rotate the pile. By staying vigilant for moisture or mold, you can ensure a steady supply of dry, ready-to-burn firewood—even when the air feels like a swamp.