Help our community breathe easier this winter

Southlanders are being asked to work together to ensure the air we breathe is cleaner for everyone this winter by practicing good burning habits.

Environment Southland team leader air and terrestrial science Dr Nick Talbot said winter is when Southland experiences its poorest air quality, particularly in the urban areas of Invercargill and Gore.

“Home heating is one area where people can make the biggest difference to our air quality,” he said.

“Not only does burning wet wood create a large amount of smoke, it gives off much less warmth than dry wood.”

Ensuring the wood you burn is stored in a dry place and is dry at the time of burning is one key step people can take to help reduce smoke.

Environment Southland operates a Good Wood approved suppliers’ scheme, in which firewood retailers voluntarily agree to supply wood at the recommended moisture level of less than 25%.

To test the wood you’ve already got at home, use a moisture meter, available from most hardware stores.

Other tips for getting the most out of your home burner include not banking the fire overnight, maintaining a hot and bright fire, sweeping the chimney regularly and ensuring the burner is maintained. Also, if possible, consider using other heating methods, such as heat pumps, on cold, still nights, as this is when air pollutants can typically reach unhealthy levels.

Environment Southland’s winter air quality monitoring season runs from 1 May to 31 August.

The Regional Air Plan includes rules to help improve air quality. In the Invercargill and Gore airsheds, open fires are prohibited and non-compliant burners are being progressively phased out.

For those outside the airsheds, consented fireplaces of any kind may still be used, as long as they aren’t used with prohibited fuels such as rubbish and treated wood.

Outdoor burning is prohibited within the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. Those outside the airsheds can continue to burn but must adhere to a number of rules, including not burning prohibited items such as baleage wrap and treated timber.

"During the damp, shorter days of winter, outdoor fires tend to produce more smoke, which can be a nuisance to your neighbours. Elevated smoke levels increase the risk of hazardous particulates accumulating, leading to potential health impacts and the possibility of exceeding air quality standards," Dr Nick Talbot said.

Keep up with how our air quality is faring, with live PM10 readings for the Invercargill and Gore airsheds at www.BreatheEasySouthland.co.nz. The website also has information about the phasing out of non-compliant domestic burners, the Good Wood scheme, good burning practice and more.