Protect Our Pure Air - Burn Dry Firewood Only

The weather has turned and, if you have a log burner, the fire is being lit every day.

The smoking chimneys in our neighbourhoods belong to households who’re not burning dry wood.

Dry wood burns more efficiently, producing more heat, while wet wood will be harder to get going, hissing and sizzling when you put a match to it – and creating lots of smoke.

Firewood can take up to a full year to dry properly and suppliers should be selling dry wood only – but check when it was cut (it will still be very wet if it was within the last two months) and how it has been stored (it should have been protected from moisture, like the recent downpours).

Wood is dry if it has cracks in the end of it and makes a hollow sound if you hit two pieces together. Dry wood weighs lighter than wet wood and should catch fire very quickly if you put a small piece onto hot embers.

Don’t release toxic smoke into the air by burning

• Painted wood
• Treated timber
• Household rubbish
• Driftwood
• Don’t forget fireplace maintenance. Chimney and flue should be swept before winter in the interests of household safety. Check the seals on fireboxes too.

Burning dry wood only will mean less soot in the chimney. Don’t turn your fire down overnight as the slow smouldering will produce more smoke and also clogs the flue.

More information about good burning practices is available from the Marlborough District Council or log on to the Council website www.marlborough.govt.nz/Environment/Air-Quality/Good-Burning-Practices.aspx.