The Impact of Wood Smoke on Our Community

Smoke from wood burn piles, agricultural burning, wood stoves, fireplaces, and other wood-burning appliances can significantly degrade air quality, especially during winter months when cold, stagnant air prevents it from rising and dispersing. This can lead to health problems, including cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. Much like cigarette smoke, wood smoke contains hundreds of air pollutants that can cause cancer and other health problems.

In neighborhoods where wood is burned, houses can have higher indoor smoke levels than houses in neighborhoods where wood is not burned. The smoke from your neighbor’s wood stove can seep into your house even when your doors and windows are closed; so even if you don’t use a wood stove or fireplace, you are breathing smoke.

Due to the topography and climate of the area, the Okanogan River Airshed sees increased smoke impacts during both the summer and winter months.

Reducing Your Smoke Footprint

Here are some practical tips to reduce the amount of smoke you produce:

1. Store and Choose Your Wood Properly:

  • Check the moisture contact. After splitting the firewood, use a moisture meter to check the starting moisture contact. The goal is 20 percent moisture content.

  • Cut the wood to the right length. The wood you purchase or cut yourself should fit easily in your wood stove or fireplace. A good rule of thumb is to make sure it is about three inches shorter than the firebox width or length.

  • Split your wood before stacking it. After you determine the proper length, split the wood so it is the right width. This usually no more then six inches in diameter. Splitting the wood in advance of stacking it increases exposure to air, which improves the drying process.

  • Store you firewood off the ground. Building a wood shed or structure to keep the firewood six inches or more off the ground. This will help protect the bottom of the wood pile from moisture.

  • Cover the top, but leave the sides exposed. The best option is to build a structure that has a roof. You can use a tarp to cover the top of the woodpile. When using a tarp be careful not to have the tarp hang over the sides so moisture is trapped. In warm summer months, you might want to remove the tarp to speed up the drying process.

  • Store the wood for at least 6 months. It is hard to wait, but the best way to know you are burning dry wood is to not burn it for at least 6 months.

  • Start your fire with softwood kindling. Softwoods (pine, fir) are generally low in density, ignite easily, and burn fast and hot – which produces less smoke.

2. Choose a Cleaner-Burning Heating Device:

Use a cleaner heating device like a heat pump, gas stove, or EPA-certified wood or pellet stove. If you have an old, non EPA-certified wood stove, check out the Colville Tribes’ no-cost replacement program. By participating in this program, you can reduce your smoke emissions, save money on energy costs, and contribute to a healthier environment for all!

Look for energy-efficient upgrades to your home, like insulation and weatherstripping, to reduce your overall heating need.

Regularly clean your chimney and flue to remove creosote buildup, have your appliance inspected and serviced annually by a certified professional, and ensure proper draft and airflow to optimize combustion.


3. Burn Smart

  • Only burn wood when necessary, and avoid burning on stagnant, smoky days.

  • Take your yard waste to the Okanogan County Landfill.

  • Choose to chip your wood rather than burn it.

  • If you have other sources for heat, curtail your use of your wood stove during burn bans. On the non-Reservation side, Washington Ecology calls air quality burn bans on days of very bad air quality. On the Reservation, the Colville Air Quality Program encourages you to voluntarily curtail your use of your wood stove during bad air quality days*

    *Unless the wood burning device is the sole heat source or household income is ≤1.5 times the Federal poverty guidelines.

  • Do not burn garbage, tires or rubber materials, plastics, lumber or timbers treated with preservatives, construction debris, pathogenic wastes, hazardous wastes or any item that emits dense smoke or noxious fumes.

Smoke has no boundaries!

Do your part to protect yourself and your community!