The Harmful Effects of Wood Smoke and the Growth of Recreational Wood Burning
DEEP: How to Get Help When Your Neighbor's Recreational Burning Harms You
Wood burning in a campfire, bonfire, chiminea or other devices is prohibited if the burning creates a nuisance for neighbors, or if it is in violation of any restrictions imposed by your local municipality. Click here to read more.
DEEP: When Does Recreational Burning Create a Nuisance
Campfires and/or bonfires are not defined by state statute or regulation. However, some towns have special requirements to conduct this type of burning. A nuisance is considered to be the unreasonable, unwarranted, or unlawful use of one’s property in a manner that substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of another individual’s property. Click here to read more.
EHHI Explains Wood Smoke "Nuisance" Enforcement
It is very important for CT local health directors to know "that the burning of wood in a campfire, bonfire, chiminea or other similar devices is prohibited if the burning is conducted so that it creates a nuisance for neighbors." Click here to read more.
New Zealand Measures Wood Smoke Particulates
Scientists using SmokeTrak equipment measured clusters of particularly high PM2.5 emissions during winter evenings. Smoke doesn't disperse well and topography also traps smoke during temperature inversions. Click here to read more.
News items are not independently verified by EHHI and inclusion on this site does not constitute an endorsement.
EHHI's Wood Smoke Report
Wood smoke poses a serious danger to human health. It is known to cause and exacerbate many pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, illnesses that are the primary causes of mortality in the U.S. Over the past 25 years, outdoor residential fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and cooking appliances have become increasingly common. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has primary federal responsibility to regulate air quality, yet this agency has long neglected
the wood-burning problem, leaving it to state, local,
and municipal governments.
For further information about wood smoke, download EHHI's report or click here to learn more.