Key takeaways
- Split logs first; splitting shortens drying time.
- Season softwood at least 6 months and hardwood 12 months (EPA).
- Stack off the ground; cover the top, not the sides.
- Keep woodpiles out of the first 5 feet around the house (UNR Extension, Zone 0).
Dry air helps in the high desert, but wood still needs time and airflow. Wet wood burns poorly and smokes, which is a problem for your chimney and your neighbors.
The short version
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Split | Split logs soon after cutting. Splitting shortens drying time. |
| Raise | Put the stack on a base so it is off the ground, away from moisture and pests. |
| Stack loosely | Leave gaps for air to move through the pile. |
| Cover the top | A roof wide enough to shed rain and snow. Do not wrap the sides. |
| Wait | At least 6 months for softwood, 12 months for hardwood. |
| Test | Moisture meter reading below 20 percent. |
How long should firewood season?
The EPA's guidance is to season softwood at least 6 months and hardwood at least 12. Those are minimums. Time on the stack matters more than the calendar year: wood split in spring and stacked in the sun and wind will be ready sooner than wood stacked in a damp corner. Test it anyway.
Signs of seasoned wood, per the EPA, are that it is darker, weighs less and sounds hollow when two pieces are knocked together.
Stacking and storage
- Keep wood outdoors and off the ground.
- Build or buy a base so the bottom row is off the dirt.
- Make the roof overhang wide enough to shield the wood from rain and snow, and slope it so water does not pool.
- Cover only the top; covering the sides holds in moisture.
- Tie the ends or tops of a freestanding stack so it does not tip.
Where should you put the woodpile?
Not against the house. University of Nevada, Reno Extension's Zone 0 guidance says to clear woodpiles from the first 5 feet around a building, and the guide does not give a longer distance, so your fire district may ask for more. A shed or rack away from the structure is also easier on the stack, because you can get air to it. See what is defensible space.
Burning it
Test a freshly split face with a moisture meter. Burn wood below 20 percent moisture. In Washoe County, winter burn-day rules and device rules also apply; see Washoe County burn codes.
Common mistakes
The most common mistakes are stacking wood on bare ground, wrapping the whole stack in a tarp, stacking wood tight against the house, and burning wood that was split last month. Each one holds moisture or creates a fire hazard. A second mistake is trusting looks. Wood that has been in a pile for a year can still be damp in the middle if the pile was packed tight and kept wet, which is why a meter reading on a freshly split face beats guessing.
If your wood is not dry enough, keep burning your driest pieces first, bring a few days' worth indoors to warm up before use, and plan to season the rest longer.
If you buy firewood
Ask the seller how long the wood has been split and dry, and expect to season it more if it is not ready. We sell a variety of Reno firewood from our Carson City yard. Call 775.232.8243 for availability and pricing.
Sources
- US EPA Burn Wise: Best Wood Burning Practices (read October 17, 2026)
- US EPA Burn Wise: Build Firewood Storage (read October 17, 2026)
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Living With Fire (SP-23-07) (read October 17, 2026)