Ban wood-burning fireplaces

The prospect of a ban on wood-burning fireplaces in new Gilroy
homes is bittersweet.
Early next year, Gilroy City Council is expected to consider
adopting an ordinance advocated by the Bay Area Air Quality
Management District that would ban wood-burning fireplaces in new
homes. The ordinance would not impact existing homes with
wood-burning fireplaces.
The prospect of a ban on wood-burning fireplaces in new Gilroy homes is bittersweet.

Early next year, Gilroy City Council is expected to consider adopting an ordinance advocated by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District that would ban wood-burning fireplaces in new homes. The ordinance would not impact existing homes with wood-burning fireplaces.

It’s a shame that the air quality of our region is so poor that new homes can’t feature wood-burning fireplaces. There’s nothing like the ambiance of a real, crackling fire on a chilly winter night.

But, fond as we are of the mood a wood fire evokes, we’re not so fond of the effect their smoke has on our lungs. When it comes right down to it, we pick breathing over enjoying wood-burning fireplaces. Pollution from wood fires exacerbates asthma, bronchitis and other lung conditions.

Because wood fires emit high levels of pollution called particulate matter, the city is considering adopting the ban voluntarily before the state requires one. If the state does enact a wood fireplace ban that is different from Gilroy’s, the local law would supersede the state law, city officials said.

If you’ve ever driven in South Valley on a cold winter night and experienced difficulty breathing because pollution – partially due to the smoke of thousands of wood-burning fireplaces – hangs in the air, you’ll know why this ordinance is important. Winter’s cold, stagnant air traps the particulate matter emitted by fireplaces at ground level, magnifying the problem.

“One of the main reasons we’re advocating that cities adopt the ordinance is that it’s a public health issue,” Bay Area Air Quality Management District spokeswoman Emily Hopkins told reporter Katie Niekirk. “Often, the link between air pollution and smoke isn’t clear in people’s minds.”

So far, six counties and 30 cities in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s region have adopted wood-burning fireplace bans for new home construction.

The link between wood fires and air pollution is clear, and it is time to act. We live in a region that can’t support any more charming but unhealthy wood-burning fireplaces. After city staff craft a sensible proposal, Gilroy City Council should adopt an ordinance banning wood-burning fireplaces in new homes.

Then we all can breathe a little easier.