MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermonters from Putney to Richford can go to their local public library and pick up a free moisture meter.

Dry wood burns hotter and cleaner than wet wood, saving both money and energy while making less smoke.

A moisture meter is a small, hand-held device that you can use to check if your firewood is dry before burning it. Firewood should be below 20% moisture content to burn cleanly.

Officials recommend splitting a piece of firewood and pressing the meter’s pins into the middle.

And by using one, you’ll also be helping out the environment, because during the winter, residental wood smoke is a main contributor to fine particle pollution – responsible for poor air quality days.

Vermont conservation officials say the meters are available on loan at 63 libraries across the state. The full list is on DEC’s website at the link here. They were made possible through a loan from the Departments of Libraries and Environmental Conservation.

Chimney cleanings recommended after Vergennes fire

Another tip while burning firewood is to make sure to schedule an annual chimney cleaning.

The Vergennes Fire Department said they responded to a reported chimney fire past 8:00 p.m. Sunday night, and cleaned out a home’s fireplace after seeing “high heat coming off the chimney cap.”

They said that by working both inside the house and on the roof, they managed to ensure the home was safe without any damage to it.

As temperatures keep getting colder and fireplaces see more use, Vermonters should make sure to keep safety in mind. More information is available on the Department of Public Safety website.

• Much of central and southern Vermont is under a Winter Storm Watch Tuesday, where over seven inches of snow are possible.
• The winter storm watch is in effect from 7 a.m. on Dec. 2 until 1 a.m. on Dec. 3.

Another round of snow is predicted for tomorrow, Dec. 2 in Vermont.

Parts of the state could see over  seven inches of snow in the storm, which is expected to have periods where as much as one inch of snow falls per hour.

It’s the latest storm projected to hit Vermont, which has already seen snow several times this year. Jay Peak, a ski resort in the north of the state, has over 100 inches of snow already this year.

But when will the storm start? Here’s what to know about timing.

When will it snow?

The winter storm watch is in effect from 7 a.m. on Dec. 2 until 1 a.m. on Dec. 3. The storm is expected to start Tuesday morning and go late into the night, according to the National Weather Service.

How much snow will Vermont get?

As of 8 a.m. on Dec. 1, much of central and southern Vermont is under a Winter Storm Watch for Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service of Burlington. 

SHAFTSBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont State Police is investigating after a tractor-trailer caused a propane tank leak.

Police say it happened along Vt. Route 7A in the town of Shaftsbury when a tractor-trailer unit had attempted to do a U-turn on the front lawn of a property, damaging a propane tank located underground — causing the tank to leak.

Vermont State Police troopers, and local fire and emergency personnel responded. They secured the area and worked to contain the leak.

No one was injured.

The incident is still under investigation, anyone with information should contact VSP.

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