Protect Our Air Quality - Burn Only Dry Firewood

The wood burners are being lit as the temperatures drop – but please remember to maintain bright hot fires, not smoking chimneys.

Dry wood burns more efficiently, producing more heat, while wet wood will be harder to get going and creates 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 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 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 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 right down overnight as slow smouldering produces more smoke and also clogs the flue.

More information about good burning practices is available from the Marlborough District Council or the Council website under Good-Burning-Practices.