How do I store firewood in my garage safely during a New Brunswick winter?

Storing firewood inside your garage during a New Brunswick winter is possible but must be done carefully to avoid moisture damage, pest infestations, and fire hazards — and the amount you store inside should be limited to a few days' supply at most. The bulk of your firewood supply should be stored outside in a covered woodshed or on a raised rack with a tarp, and only a small quantity brought into the garage to dry and warm before burning.

The primary concern with storing firewood in an NB garage is moisture. Firewood — even well-seasoned wood — carries residual moisture that evaporates as the wood acclimates to the warmer garage environment. In NB's Maritime climate, where garages already battle humidity and condensation from vehicles bringing in snow and road salt, adding a significant moisture source compounds the problem. Wet or partially seasoned firewood stored in an enclosed garage can raise humidity levels enough to cause condensation on walls, tools, and vehicles, promoting rust and mould growth. Limiting your indoor storage to one to three days' worth of firewood keeps moisture manageable.

Pest control is the second critical concern. Firewood is a natural habitat for insects — carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, spiders, and various overwintering insects are common in NB firewood. Storing large quantities of firewood in your garage brings these pests inside, where the relative warmth can cause them to become active and potentially migrate into your home, especially if the garage is attached. This is why most pest control professionals and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recommend storing firewood at least 3 to 5 metres (10-15 feet) away from any structure and bringing only what you need inside a day or two before burning it.

For the small amount of firewood you do keep in the garage, proper setup matters. Never stack firewood directly on the concrete slab — concrete wicks moisture upward, keeping the bottom logs damp and creating conditions for mould and wood decay. Use a firewood rack or cradle ($40-$100) that elevates the wood at least 4 to 6 inches off the floor, allowing air circulation underneath. Place the rack against an exterior wall away from your vehicle, hot water heater, furnace, or any electrical panel. A rubber mat underneath the rack catches bark debris and makes sweeping up easy.

Fire safety rules are non-negotiable when storing firewood in a garage. Keep firewood at least 3 feet away from any heat source, including portable heaters, gas unit heaters, electrical panels, and vehicles. Never store firewood near gasoline containers, propane tanks, solvents, or other flammables — a standard safety practice but especially important in a garage where these items are commonly kept. If your garage is attached to your home, ensure the fire separation between the garage and living space is intact — 5/8-inch Type X fire-rated drywall with no gaps, holes, or unsealed penetrations. An attached garage with firewood storage should have a functioning carbon monoxide detector and smoke detector.

Practical storage tips for NB homeowners: Stack firewood in a single row for maximum air circulation rather than deep piles where moisture gets trapped in the centre. Orient the rack so that bark faces up — bark is a natural moisture shield and slows drying when facing down. If you are bringing wood in from outside during a snowstorm, brush off as much snow and ice as possible before placing it on the rack. The snow will melt in the garage and add unnecessary moisture to the space. A small dehumidifier ($150-$300) or a through-wall exhaust fan can help manage moisture if you regularly bring firewood into an insulated garage.

The ideal setup for most NB homeowners is an outdoor covered firewood rack or lean-to woodshed within easy walking distance of both the garage and the house, with a small indoor rack holding a day or two of wood. This keeps the bulk supply ventilated and dry outdoors while giving you a convenient supply of room-temperature wood ready to burn. Building a simple outdoor firewood rack with a sloped roof is a straightforward weekend DIY project using pressure-treated lumber, costing $100 to $300 in materials.