Dampers
I have a Thermo-Control 500 stove. I had an electric dampener on it, I don't know if that is part of the problem regarding creosote build up and resulting chimney fire. I did place some thick plastic on the ground prior to putting about a foot of crushed #2 stone down as a floor on the carport/wood shed.
Unlike the vast majority of people who burn wood in a heater..I don't use a damper. I stopped decades ago because I was annoyed with the constant stovepipe cleaning and chimney cleaning. I now regulate excess heat going out the stack by adjusting wood size/species and air intake better, and making sure I burn seasoned dry wood.
FWIW. I get little to zero creosote buildup. Yes, I probably burn a little more wood, but..I hates the cleaning and potential dangers.
You don't put a restrictive muffler on a vehicle engine to make it run better.....and all a car engine is is a chemical burning gases heat pump...same as a heater. Long chain hydrocarbons mixed with O2 in the proper ratio.
Now if I had a modern secondary burn designed heater, it would work better than that even, I know I would get more heat with less wood, but still with little to no creosote buildup.