Posted by Charlie, a resident of the Menlo Park: Menlo Oaks neighborhood, on May 10, 2012 at 5:06 pm

Blame it on overactive bacteria.

Posted by Compost doesn't burn, a member of the James Flood Magnet School community, on May 11, 2012 at 10:00 am

Compost piles rarely go over 130 degrees, must be the correct mix of 'brown and green' (nitrogen and carbon materials) and only then with adequate moisture (a really good pile will steam when turned, in winter.)

If it wasn't moist, one has to ask how often a pile of dry leaves combusts spontaneously in our area.

A 'boom'?

Never heard of a boom from a pile.

Bordering on the absurd.

Should report this, it's a first.

Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on May 11, 2012 at 12:01 pm

Compost doesnt burn:

really? Not according to this: Web Link

from the link: "Haystacks, COMPOST PILES and unprocessed cotton may self-ignite because of heat produced by bacterial fermentation."

Posted by Compost doesn't burn, a member of the James Flood Magnet School community, on May 11, 2012 at 12:11 pm

From the link: " Avoid large piles - no greater than 12 feet high." They're clearly talking large agricultural sites and piles.

Web Link

# Monitor your organic material for hotspots - high temperature (76 to 80°C), vents, smoke or burnt smell.

# Ensure temperature monitoring equipment can reach the centre of the piles.

# Ensure adequate ventilation and moisture content (above 40%) of pile to release heat.

Granted, I don't have experience with piles that large, only locally with many compost piles at a residential level. And NEVER saw one smolder.

Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on May 11, 2012 at 12:13 pm

More information on Compost piles frire prevention: Web Link

Posted by Compost doesn't burn, a member of the James Flood Magnet School community, on May 11, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Any thing about hearing "boom" form a compost heap?

Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on May 11, 2012 at 12:19 pm

"Any thing about hearing "boom" form a compost heap?"

Not that I've seen so far, but in my experience, witness statements are notoriously inaccurate.

Posted by Obviously, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on May 11, 2012 at 1:38 pm

Many of you have yet to experience the horrendous sounds made by an exploding overripe carrot.

Posted by Old MacDonald, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on May 11, 2012 at 1:38 pm

never ever considered a residential compost heap going up in flames

if it's too dry, it's just a bunch of leaves

too damp, no ignition

just right moisture, it becomes compost (dirt) and ain't gonna burn

large farm ops have windrows, etc. that are a different animal altogether (often includes animal products)