By Paris Rain, FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — As a major winter storm threatens Green Country with up to 15 inches of snow, many residents are preparing the old-fashioned way by stocking up on firewood to keep themselves warm when temperatures drop and in case power outages occur.
“I like burning the fire, regardless,” said BJ Smith, a local resident who was loading up on firewood on Wednesday. “But in case it gets too bad and the power goes out, I’m just trying to be a step ahead.”
Others said firewood provides both comfort and a backup heat source.
“I’ve got a big old fireplace at home,” said Leslie Sims. “I’m going to keep it around just in case the power goes out, and we may burn a little bit anyway just because we like the smell of it.”
For some families, firewood is essential during extreme cold.
“My parents live in a house with a heat pump and those don’t operate well when it gets really cold,” explained Josh Pickett. “Their wood stove supplements their heat to keep the house warm.”
Firewood businesses across the area said demand always spikes whenever winter storms approach.
“We prepare all year long,” said Todd Rickert, the owner of Rickert Landscaping and Tree Service. “Once or twice a year, we know we’re going to have a storm like this where demand is so high we think we’re going to run out.”
Rickert said despite maintaining large stockpiles, supplies can move quickly.
To keep up with demand, Rickert said the business has adjusted how it sells firewood.
“We kind of ration the wood a little bit. We don’t have as much time to stack and sell it in fancy racks, so we sell it by the piece. It comes out about 75 cents a stick.”
Another longtime firewood supplier is also adapting. Chad Click, the owner of Firewood King Tulsa, said he typically delivers firewood to customers, but has started setting up a pickup location to serve more customers.
“I’ll have a trailer totally full of wood,” said Click. “We’ll be at 91st and Memorial tomorrow evening around five o’clock between the Cicis Pizza and the Ace Hardware. You can drive up in an SUV, a truck or even a car.”
Click, who has been in the business for 20 years, said he sells seasoned wood and emphasized the importance of knowing how to properly build a fire.
“Start small with kindling and build up gradually. One of the biggest mistakes people make is turning the gas starter up too high. It burns all the oxygen and just cooks the wood. Smaller is better at first.”
With dangerously cold temperatures on the way, residents and business owners alike said preparation is key.
For many, firewood could make all the difference.
To view a guide on how to properly build a fire, click here.
To learn the difference between a rick and a cord of firewood, click here.
To learn more about seasoned wood, click here.
