November 3, 2023
With cold weather here to stay for a while in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties, the Northwest Clean Air Agency offers the following information on smoke caused by burning wood for heat:
One of the big dangers of smoke from the fires you use to heat your home is the too-tiny-to-see particles that you can inhale deeply into your lungs, where they damage delicate tissues.
People with heart and lung issues, the elderly, and children are most at risk. But anyone can be harmed by breathing in smoke.
If you burn wood for heat, make sure you use only clean, dry wood to limit smoke that can impact you and others. And limit the amount of wood you burn to further cut down on the amount of smoke you produce.
Check out these videos on the importance of limiting smoke and your exposure to it:
- Fire safety – https://bit.ly/3dbEsvE
- Burning dry wood v. burning wet wood – https://bit.ly/3ts0ZeD
- Wet wood is a waste – https://bit.ly/2KGXP62
- Get the best burn from your firewood – https://bit.ly/3HRUBnP
For more information on wood heating, see NWCAA’s website at https://bit.ly/2IvpGol.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local air quality regulations in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. In addition to permitting and regulating industrial sources of air pollution, the agency provides services and information related to asbestos, indoor air quality, outdoor burning, woodstoves, and fireplaces. More information about the agency is available at https://nwcleanairwa.gov/.