Don’t ban wood fires
Letter writer J. Ralph is correct, “If smoke from someone else’s property invades my space I should be able to report it and have the fireplace shut down” (“Burning argument, The Leader, Dec. 6).
Smoke, usually from an open fireplace or non-EPA approved appliance, can and should be treated in the same way other actions not up to community standards are treated.
You would not hesitate to contact the authourities if your neighbour was responsible for excess noise at 2 a.m. You should also be able to contact the authorities if your neighbour subjects you to the smell of an inefficient smouldering fire.
Metro Vancouver offers a $250 exchange program when replacing an uncertified wood burning appliance with a qualifying wood-burning appliance.
As an advocate of the use of an EPA-approved wood burning appliance, city officials should act on a citizen’s complaint concerning others burning “household garbage and kitchen waste” and using non-qualifying wood burning appliance conforming with community standards.
The answer is not to ban all wood fires, and penalizing those who act responsibly.
Larry Miller
Delta
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