Can I run my wood stove safely during an Ottawa freezing rain storm when the power is out for days and the furnace won't work?

Yes, your wood stove can absolutely serve as your primary heat source during an extended Ottawa power outage — this is precisely the scenario where a properly installed wood stove earns its keep. Unlike a gas furnace with an electronic ignition, a pellet stove with an auger motor, or a gas fireplace with a powered blower, a traditional wood stove operates entirely without electricity. If it was burning wood before the lights went out, it will keep burning wood until the storm passes.

That said, running your stove safely during a multi-day freezing rain event requires some specific preparation and awareness that goes beyond normal operation.

The chimney is your first concern during an ice storm. Freezing rain can coat your chimney cap and flue opening with a thick layer of ice, partially or completely blocking the exhaust path. A blocked or restricted flue means combustion gases — including carbon monoxide — have nowhere to go except back into your home. Before you rely on your stove during a storm, check that your chimney cap is clear. If you can safely observe the cap from the ground and see ice buildup, you may need to address it before lighting a fire. Never attempt to climb onto an iced roof — that is how people die during Ottawa ice storms. If you cannot safely confirm the flue is clear, start a very small, low fire and watch carefully for any smoke spillage into the room. Smoke coming back into the house is your signal to stop and investigate.

Your carbon monoxide detector is non-negotiable during this scenario. Ontario law requires CO detectors on every level of a home with a fuel-burning appliance, and during a power outage with your stove running continuously, you want battery-powered or battery-backup CO detectors functioning and tested. If your CO detector alarms, get everyone out of the house immediately and call 911 from outside — do not re-enter.

Burn only dry, well-seasoned hardwood — maple, oak, ash, or birch that has been split and dried for at least 12 to 18 months. An ice storm is the worst possible time to discover your woodpile is wet or green. Wet wood burns cool and smoky, produces heavy creosote deposits, and delivers a fraction of the heat output of properly seasoned wood. Ottawa hardwood delivers roughly 25 to 30 million BTUs per cord when properly seasoned — that number drops dramatically with green wood, and the creosote risk climbs sharply.

Keep your burns hot and active rather than damping the stove down to a smoulder for long overnight burns. Slow, smouldering fires are the primary cause of creosote buildup, and running your stove continuously for several days during an emergency is exactly the kind of heavy use that warrants a chimney inspection and cleaning before the next season.

Ash management during a multi-day burn matters too. Keep a metal ash bucket with a tight-fitting lid near the stove, and never let ash accumulate to the point where it contacts the grate. Ash retains heat for 72 hours or more — treat it as live fire even when it looks cold and grey.

If you have not had your chimney swept and inspected this season, this experience is a strong reminder of why annual WETT-certified chimney cleaning is essential for Ottawa wood stove owners. You can browse fireplace and chimney professionals through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com/directory when you are ready to schedule that service.