If you must burn, there are many ways to burn smart and burn clean
Save money, reduce air pollution and protect your health and the health of those around you by burning smart.
Burn ony clean seasoned wood, manufactured firelogs, or wood pellets
Split, stack, cover and store firewood. Use well-seasoned (at least 6 months) firewood split to the right size - generally 7.5 to 15 cm (3 to 6”) in diameter and 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16”) in length. Additional fuel sources include manufactured firelogs and wood pellets for wood pellet stoves.
Prevent the release of toxic chemicals, never burn these prohibited materials
- Pressure treated or painted wood
- Plastics and styrofoam
- Particleboard, MDF or plywood
- Saltwater driftwood
- Cardboard
Build small hot fires and avoid smouldering
Burn clean. Use small pieces of wood kindling, and for the purpose of starting a fire only, use non-glossy, uncoated and uncoloured paper to start your fire. Use dry wood – 20% moisture or less. Moisture meters are available at hardware stores. Burn small, hot, bright fires.
Burn smart. Do not damper or hold your fire overnight, unless your appliance is designed for extended burns and load the fuel to prevent the fire from smouldering. This creates air pollution, promotes creosote build-up in your chimney, and does little to provide heat.
For appliances designed for extended burns, the following best practices are designed to minimize smouldering:
- Rake the coals towards the air inlet and place large pieces of wood compactly in the firebox behind the coals so the heat and flame do not penetrate the new load.
- Open the air inlets fully for 15 to 30 minutes until the outer pieces of wood are charred.
- Once a thick layer of charcoal has formed on the outer pieces, reduce the air supply in stages to the desired level.
Be a good neighbour
Watch your chimney. Smoke means that your fire needs more air and/or drier wood. Open the stove or fireplace damper to increase air circulation and improve burning. Inspect and maintain the appliance in accordance with the recommendations of a qualified person.
Weather conditions at night and in winter often result in stagnant air, causing smoke to linger in the neighbourhood. This smoky outside air can be drawn into fresh air furnace intakes or open windows of nearby neighbours, subjecting them to a smoky indoor environment. Limiting wood stove and fireplace use to periods when the weather helps to break up and move smoke away will reduce the impact of wood smoke on neighbours. From October through March you can find out if weather conditions are favourable for indoor residential wood burning by calling 604-436-6777.
To reduce wood smoke in your neighbourhood, consider replacing your old uncertified wood stove or fireplace with a certified wood-burning appliance or natural gas appliance. Metro Vancouver residents may be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $400 when trading in their old uncertified wood-burning appliance for a new low emission appliance. Call 604-436-6722 or view the
community wood smoke reduction program.