Abstract: A chimney flue damper comprised of a generally rectangular frame, a damper flap pivotally mounted to the frame, a hammer element secured to the bottom of the damper flap and a cable. A bar of the hammer element is rotatably secured to the bottom of the damper flap. A hammer element head of the hammer element can be pulled away from the surface of the damper flap by pulling the cable downward in the flue. By releasing the cable, the hammer element head will strike the bottom of the damper flap and thus open a damper flap which is stuck closed, either by ice forming on the seal between the damper flap and the frame or as a result of an accumulation of foreign material around the edge of the damper flap.