Smoke from wood fired heaters, fire pits and open air fires can affect neighbours and interfere with their normal activities. If severe enough, it can impact people's health.

How to reduce smoke emissions

You can reduce smoke by:

• composting, recycling or reusing waste where possible
• taking garden waste to a council transfer station
• not burning paints, hazardous chemicals, wet paper or cloth and sanitary napkins, as they release hazardous chemicals - check with council to see if domestic burning is permitted
• not burning wet or green vegetation which smoulders and causes excessive smoke
• giving fires maximum air-flow so that they release less smoke
• checking weather conditions - avoid burning any materials in windy conditions or where the wind is blowing towards your neighbour.

How to reduce smoke from wood fire heaters

Before you install a wood fire heater consider the impact on your neighbours, the size needed to heat your home and consider heating alternatives (e.g. a gas heater). All wood fire heaters need to comply with Australian Standard AS4012 and AS4013.

You can reduce smoke and particles from wood heaters.

• Not burning chipboard or painted or treated timber.
• Choosing dry firewood – it should be air dried for at least eight months. Wet or green wood causes more smoke.
• Storing firewood under cover, stacked in a crisscross pattern to allow air to circulate.
• Burning the fire brightly - start with dry kindling and gradually add larger wood pieces. An efficient fire should have red glowing embers and bright swirling flames.
• Keeping air controls open at night - avoid shutting down the air controls (damper) overnight.
• Check your chimney to see if it is smoking too much.
• Cleaning and maintaining your chimney and wood heater regularly, e.g. check the glass door for cracks, seals for deterioration, firebox for rust and lubricate the air-slide control with high temperature grease.

Fact sheets

• Smoke fact sheet
• Smoke from chimneys fact sheet
• Home heating options
• Guide to operating a wood heater