Air quality monitoring season starts

Southlanders are being urged to do their bit to help their neighbours breathe easy this winter by using good burning practice inside and outside their homes.

Environment Southland’s winter air quality monitoring season officially started today (1 May).

Over the winter period from 1 May through until 31 August, outdoor burning is prohibited within the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. Those outside the airsheds can continue to burn but must still adhere to a number of rules, including not burning prohibited items such as baleage wrap and treated timber.

Environment Southland team leader air and terrestrial science Nick Talbot said during winter poor air quality can be an issue in Southland, particularly in the urban areas of Invercargill and Gore.

“Due to dampness during the shorter winter days, outdoor fires produce more smoke causing nuisance to those around you. Also, the elevated smoke levels means the potential for hazardous particulates to accumulate increases, as well as the risk of adverse health impacts and the risk of exceedances of permitted air quality regulatory standards,” Nick Talbot said.

While air quality can decline during the winter months, making a change to how burning is done at home, whether it be in your yard or in your lounge, can make a difference.

“Firewood must have a moisture content of less than 25% before burning to reduce the amount of smoke it produces. Not only does burning wet wood create a large amount of smoke, it gives off nowhere near as much warmth as dry wood.”

Some tips for improving practices in your home burner include not banking the fire overnight, maintaining a hot and bright burn, 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 when air pollutants can typically reach unhealthy levels.

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

Environment Southland operates a Good Wood approved suppliers’ scheme, which firewood retailers voluntarily agree to be part of.

Staff will be responding to complaints and if you are found to be in breach of the rules of the Regional Air Plan you could face enforcement action, which could include the cost of the time spent on the investigation.

Keep up with how our air quality is faring, with live PM10 readings for the Invercargill and Gore airsheds available on 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.

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For further information contact strategic communications advisor Brittany Pickett on 021 499 580.