Ask the seller what kind of wood it is. Trees like pines, firs, or cypress have "soft" wood, which burns fast, leaves few coals, and makes a lot of smoke that can coat your chimney with soot (not a safe thing in the long run).

How long should pine dry before burning?

Before drying, know the properties of your wood.

In general, pine and other softwoods require around 6 to 12 months to season, while hardwoods such as oak require a year to 2 years. However, this rule of thumb has exceptions, so knowing the tree type and its water content is important.

How do you burn fresh pine wood?

Before lighting the fire, split the wood into very small pieces, and mix those pieces with dry kindling. Place the mixture inside a suitably sized burn container or fire pit, stacking the small pieces so that air can flow around the entire pile that will be burned.