Smoke and burning
Two independent third-party evaluations of the wood smoke program have been commissioned.
To learn more, review:
Smoke is a significant source of air pollution.
Smoke comes from:
- Outdoor burning, like land clearing fires
- Indoor burning, like wood stoves and fireplaces
One of the main pollutants in smoke is fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5.
Breathing in the fine particulate matter in smoke causes many kinds of health effects, including heart and lung problems. Research has shown there's no lower threshold for the health effects of breathing in smoke.
Learn more about:
- Outdoor burning
- Industrial burning
- Forest fires and air quality
- Health impacts of fine particulate matter
All wood heating generates smoke, but smoke from wood heating can be reduced by using clean-burning practices and a cleaner-burning appliance.
The Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program provides financial incentives to replace smoky old wood stoves with cleaner heating options.
Examples of cleaner heating options include:
- Heat pumps
- Pellet stoves
- EPA-certified wood stoves
For more information, review:
Burning is regulated by provincial and municipal laws and regulations:
- Smoke and burning regulations
- View today's Ventilation Index
