Good fires lead to cleaner Hawke's Bay air

How people are using fires could be affecting Bay air quality, even if they have efficient burners, a national study has found.
A Niwa air quality study found that as wood burner engineering designs become more sophisticated, operator behaviour becomes relatively more important.
The study found that most emissions occurred within the first hour of a fire being lit and showed there were bursts of high emissions soon after the burner has been reloaded with wood. The type of fuel used and the conditions in the firebox appeared to be strong factors in determining emission levels.
Hawke's Bay Heat Smart programme co-ordinator Mark Heaney said Napier and Hastings were failing to meet targets the Government had set for clean air.
"While the weather does influence the results, so do people," he said. "Hawke's Bay Regional Council urges people using wood burners or open fires to do a quick check outside of how much smoke comes out of the flue or chimney for a few evenings to help find out how much smoke their fire is producing."
People could then adjust their burners so wood burned quickly and well.
All fires smoked when first lit, and it was important to get them up to temperature quickly. The early stages of burning produced smoke and the last two, flame and charcoal, produced clean, efficient heat.
Dry wood cut at least eight months earlier should be burned. Glossy or coloured paper, plastics or painted or treated wood, which release poisonous fumes should not be used. "Remember, if it smells, it's getting into your lungs," Mr Heaney said.
About 1500 Hastings and Napier property owners had replaced open fires and inefficient log burners since the funding assistance scheme started in 2009. A further 5336 people have insulated their homes helped by government subsidies. "These people are now enjoying warmer homes, drier homes, healthier homes, homes that are more economic to run, and homes that are more environmentally friendly."
More information at: www.hbrc.govt.nz.