Editor:
I am not an advocate of backyard burning. I am, however, the happy owner of a wood stove. I have read quite a few social media posts of late from the Clean Air Society and I want to add something to the conversation.
We live in a ribbon community that follows the coastline; we are affected by marine weather systems that provide us with good conditions for using wood heating seven months of the year. We do not have valleys where inversions take place and enjoy very good air quality. The Clean Air Society provides monitoring on their website, and you can see for yourself that weekly averages back this statement.
Print ads from the society state “wood smoke particulates may also lead to Alzheimer’s, dementia and depression … or even autism and obesity.” If you want to win hearts and minds, exaggeration is a difficult path to trust.
I am fully in support of education in the best practices for lowering particulates. What I do not support is the use of anonymous tip lines. The only people coming to my door or mailing me criticism for a legal activity should be a local bylaw officer or the RCMP.
On my part of the street in Halfmoon Bay, there are eight wood stoves and no complaints. If there are, I am certain we can handle them with consideration.
Backyard burning is needless; heating your home is not.
Gordon Bell, Halfmoon Bay
