Around here there are a bunch of old houses on expensive property ( lake front). Instead of paying to destruct / haul away ... folks can donate to the local fire fighters for burn practice. I'm not sure of all the details but there is a major tax deduction, and the haul away expenses and significantly lower.

- external observation -

A couple of years ago we came home to see a house across the cove (1/2 mile away) fully consumed in fire as part of a controlled burn. Seeing treetop level flames consuming a house is a terrifying scene. I hope no-one ever has to experience trying to escape a house fire.