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Smoke from Woodfire Heaters

Residents who use a wood heater to warm their home in winter should follow this advice to protect the health and safety of their family. Wood heaters can also bother your neighbours by emitting smelly smoke and reducing air quality.

Report smoke from woodfire heaters

We investigate woodfire heaters that may be a public health nuisance and provide advice to woodfire heater owners to address issues.

To make a confidential complaint:

woodfire heaters
Download woodfire heaters fact sheet

Tips for woodfire heater users  to our health and the health of

  • Use a registered plumber to install your wood heater.
  • If buying firewood to use immediately, buy dry seasoned, untreated timber. Unseasoned wood can have up to 50 per cent moisture content so it is hard to ignite, slow to burn and produces smoke and less heat.
  • Conduct regular maintenance checks and have your chimney professionally cleaned at least once a year, especially before the start of winter.
  • Do not burn garden clippings, household rubbish, painted or treated timber or particle board.
  • Occasionally check the amount of smoke coming from your chimney. There should not be continuous visible smoke after 20 minutes of operation.
  • If the smoke is continuous and visible, book a maintenance check or replace your wood heater.
  • You may need a license or permit to collect timber from public land. For more information, visit the Department of Sustainability and Environment website or call 136 186.
  • Get more tips to reduce smoke from your wood heater.

How to use your woodfire heater the right way

https://youtu.be/zsmwKTnKyCI

Fires in the open air – Activities and General Amenities Local Law 2018

  • 4.11.1 A person must not light a fire, or allow a fire to remain alight in the open air or in an incinerator, except for when using an outdoor cooking device for cooking food.
  • 4.11.2 A person must not burn any materials or substances in the open air, in an outdoor oven or in a wood heater located in a building that could be:
    (a) dangerous to the health or safety of a person; or
    (b) offensive to any person; because the materials or substances being burnt are a prohibited waste or the wood that is being used is wet, treated, or painted wood.