Buying guide
What Is Ready to Burn?
Ready to Burn is a certification for firewood in England. It shows the wood has 20% moisture or less, so it's dry enough to burn without heavy smoke. Since 1 May 2021, any wood sold in volumes under 2 m³ has had to carry it, which covers most bags of logs, from a net bag to a tonne bag. Woodsure runs the scheme for wood, and HETAS runs the matching scheme for manufactured smokeless fuels.
The Logs Local team Kiln-dried logs from our yard in Keighley
In this guide
Why was Ready to Burn introduced?
Burning wet wood releases far more smoke and fine particles than burning dry wood. The government brought in the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 to cut that pollution. They stopped the sale of wet wood in small volumes and of traditional house coal for homes.
What does the Ready to Burn label show?
Three things, on the bag, the shelf label or next to the price:
- the Ready to Burn logo
- the name of the supplier
- a unique certification number
When wood is sold online, the logo should appear where the wood is advertised, according to Woodsure.
What are the rules for bigger loads?
Wood sold in volumes of 2 m³ or more doesn't need to be certified, so it can be sold wet. The seller must give you a notice explaining how to dry it, store it and check its moisture before you burn it. If you buy a large loose load, check it with a moisture meter before you use it. Our firewood moisture guide shows how.
How do I check a seller is certified?
- Look for the logo and the certification number on the bag or the listing.
- Search for the supplier by postcode on Woodsure's Find a Supplier page, or check the certification number with Woodsure.
- Be wary of a bag under 2 m³ with no logo or number, or a seller who can't tell you the moisture of their logs.
Does Ready to Burn mean I can burn logs anywhere?
No. Ready to Burn is about the wood. Smoke control areas have separate rules about the appliance. In a smoke control area you can only burn wood in a Defra-exempt stove, and an open fire there needs an authorised smokeless fuel. Much of Bradford, Leeds and other towns we deliver to are smoke control areas, and the whole of York becomes one on 1 November 2026. Check your council's map, or the Defra map, before lighting an open fire.
What else did the rules change?
Since 1 May 2023, traditional house coal can't be sold for use in homes in England. Smokeless fuels, anthracite and low volatile steam coal can still be sold. Manufactured smokeless fuels must carry their own certification and number. See our smokeless coal.
Questions
Is Ready to Burn the law in Wales and Scotland?
No. The rules apply only in England.
Is seasoned wood Ready to Burn?
It can be, if it has been dried to 20% or less and the seller is certified. See kiln dried vs seasoned logs.
What happens if a seller breaks the rules?
Councils enforce them. A seller can be given a £300 fixed penalty, or a larger fine if it goes to court, according to GOV.UK.
Are your logs below 20% moisture?
Yes. Our logs are kiln dried below 20% moisture.
Back to the firewood buying guide.
Logs for this guide
Kiln dried below 20% moisture and ready to burn. Add a bag to your cart, then check out as normal.
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Free delivery within 40 miles of our yard
On orders over £75, on weekdays, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Or collect from Farrahs Saw Mill in Keighley.
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