Every year, starting in in the fall when the weather gets cooler, the District receives complaints from people who are concerned about breathing smoke from their neighbors’ fires.  Sometimes people are not even aware that they have been causing anyone discomfort. The District has found that many people are willing to adjust their burn times or contact their neighbors before burning so they can close some windows—IF they know their smoke is affecting someone.

When you make a fireplace fire, first, check out our tips to minimize your smoke. Then, take a walk outside. Look and see where your smoke is going. If your smoke is headed towards a neighbor's house, knock on their door. Ask if your smoke is bothering them and let them know they can call you if it does in the future. Usually two neighbors can work out a solution that works for both—but only if they are aware and talk. Be a good neighbor.

Breathing wood smoke reduces lung function, aggravates heart and lung diseases, and can trigger asthma. Take some of the steps below for the sake of your health and safety—and that of your neighbors. Another danger during the winter months is carbon monoxide poisoning. See below for more information.

The District and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department have the following tips for safer, cleaner fireplace burning (see also news release).

1. Don’t burn trash. Don’t burn: plastics, chemicals, wrapping paper, magazines, or colored or coated papers (including newspaper inserts, junk mail, etc.). Also don’t burn charcoal, coal, or holiday greens. Burning trash can cause toxic chemicals to go into the air, and into your lungs.
2. Be a good neighbor and notice your smoke. Build small hot fires rather than large smoldering ones. Use dry, seasoned hard woods. Hard woods provide more heat and they are denser so they burn more slowly and evenly, producing less smoke. Avoid "roaring" fires. They can start chimney fires and can lead to overheating of wall or roof materials.
3. Save your fireplace or woodstove for special occasions. Fireplace fires are not a very efficient way to produce heat. The safest way to heat your home, and the cleanest for the air, is through a central heating system.
4. Use a gas log if you can. Never burn wood in a fireplace that was designed for a gas log. Decorative fireplaces are not built to handle wood fires. Burning wood in one of these fireplaces is asking for trouble, and could create a dangerous situation.
5. Clean your chimney. How long has it been since your chimney was cleaned? A dirty chimney full of creosote is a chimney fire waiting to happen. Schedule regular maintenance by a professional chimney sweep.
6. Never use gasoline, charcoal lighter or other fuel to light or relight a fire because the vapors can explode. Never keep flammable fuels near a fire. Vapors can travel the length of a room and explode.
7. Do not allow small children near the fireplace. Keep children away from the fire. Their clothing can easily ignite. Warn the entire family about this hazard. Warn children about the danger of fire, never let them play with fire, and review with them the “Stop-Drop-and Roll” drill they learned in school.
8. Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.
9. Be sure no flammable materials hang down from or decorate your mantel. A spark from your fireplace could ignite these materials and cause a fire. Keep flammable and combustible materials such as carpets, pillows, furniture or papers, logs and kindling at least 3 feet away from the fireplace area. Be sure the Christmas tree is not close enough to be ignited by a spark. Keep the area near the fireplace clear of materials like papers, books, toys, etc.
10. Make sure you have basic fire safety equipment. Keep a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace, install a screen that completely covers the fireplace opening, equip your house with smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector, and use a spark arrester on top of your chimney.