Hot Embers from yule log likely cause of CT fire

[Warpy]

4. I clean out the woodstove and put the ashes into a heavy metal bucket outdoors to cool

and as long as 2 weeks later, I've found a few live embers in there when I've scattered the ashes into the compost or around trees and bushes. There hasn't been enough left to cause trouble, but it's an illustration of what a great insulator wood ash is and how long embers can stay live.

The only way to do it in a home is to put the ashes into a metal container and set that into the fireplace until they can be disposed of. I know too many people who used plastic pails and paper bags who regretted it very quickly.

This is so sad. I don't know how to wrap my head around such a staggering loss.