[PIF]

Unless you live near an old grown or second growth forest in the PacNW where old Doug Fir bark can be 3 or more inches thick - very dry, sometimes pitch laden - also called womens wood - breaks and crumbles easily - burns very hot and long - no need for paper of other tinder to start the fire - pitchy bark lights with a match.

[4Liberty]

I just moved East to New Hampshire ....from CA. Too many 'rats in CA!!!

Dried (seasoned) firewood takes a year to fully dry out. You can't just "burn it" the day it's cut. People don't know that. Ash tree is the best wood. I was told it dries fast (low moisture) and can be burned sooner after cutting. I got 2 cords kiln-dried firewood stored away this fall. Costs more but it's super dry - burns great, with small amount.

I got a Masonry Heater built. Its a 'fireplace on steroids,' retains heat from wood fire, cooks, and does a great job heating a house (off grid, no propane or heating oil furnace needed). Centuries-old low tech, used in Europe and Russia, check them out -