PGAQ #54 by Vic Steblin, Nov 28, 2008

2570 Laurier Crescent, Prince George, BC, 250-564-1123

A letter to the editor claimed there is no need for a wood burning ban. The writer said he has burned for 20 years, his parents and ancestors also burned and they all lived to ripe old ages. He said that he would quit burning if gas was cheaper and the government forced loggers and farmers to stop burning. He states that he and thousands of others would fight any ban with a “Try and stop me” attitude.

In response I would first disagree with the harmless health effects claim. The claim that smoking is harmless was shown to be false and I am certain the same applies to burning wood. Many smokers claim that their habit does little damage but then they suffer later on. Neighbours are also held hostage by wood burners because it is hard to escape the smoke. Check the internet for individual stories.

Secondly, gas or electricity is cheaper when one takes into account the long term health costs or even short term equipment costs like saws, splitters, stoves and hauling. We can also save on heating costs by turning down the heat and wearing warm clothes inside.

Thirdly, I agree that government should ban burning by loggers and farmers. In my opinion biomass should be left to rot into soil but it is difficult to change entrenched historical beliefs. However, faults in others should not be used as excuses.

Finally, the threat to “Try and stop me and thousands of others from burning” is one of the reasons why Prince George has an air quality problem. If more of us cared about how we affect others our city could become a better place.