Minimising Your Risk of Woodsmoke Pollution as Winter Nears

Published on 19 May 2025

Warrumbungle residents are being asked to help improve winter air quality by checking they are using wood heaters correctly.

As temperatures drop and winter sets in, the incorrect use of wood fire heaters can seriously affect our air quality. On colder weekends, woodsmoke particles from inefficient heaters float in the air and can be seen as smoke haze that sometimes sits over built-up areas. Not only is this sort of pollution unattractive, but it can also be bad for our health.

Woodsmoke can cause breathing difficulties, especially for people suffering existing respiratory conditions, such as asthmatics. But we can all help reduce the amount of woodsmoke pollution this winter by using aged dry wood and running out heaters properly. 

Some simple steps to reduce woodsmoke pollution are, don't let your heater smolder overnight, keep enough air in the fire to maintain a flame, burn only dry, aged hardwood, store your wood undercover to keep it dry. 

Yoru fire should only smoke when you first light it and when you add extra fuel. Open the air controls fully for 5 minutes before and 15 to 20 minutes after reloading the heater. Remember to check your chimney regularly to see how well your fire is burning. If there is smoke coming from the chimney, increase the air supply to your fire. 

It is the responsibility of all wood heater owners to follow these easy steps and minimise the harmful effects of smoke pollution on their neighbours and the environment. 

For information on how to use your wood heater better, visit the EPA website at https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Air/reducing-wood-smoke-emissions/wood-smoke-resources-for-local-government