Learn Before You Burn

Autumn brings on a cool crispness, perfect weather time around the campfire, tailgating at college and professional football games, and homecoming bonfires. As winter draws near, many homeowners are getting their fireplaces ready to burn on a cold night.

Fire provides a natural source of warm and a wonderful ambiance, both indoors and out. However, the smoke from fire contains particulate matter that can bring on temporary respiratory irritation. Those with asthma and other pulmonary illnesses may have breathing challenges caused by the smoke.

Follow these easy guidelines to burn as clean of a fire as possible:

- Whether it is an outdoor fire pit or an indoor fireplace, always burn dry, seasoned wood. Wet logs generate        more smoke. 
- Outdoor fires must not exceed five feet wide and five feet high.
- Be sure to fully extinguish your fire; smoldering embers contribute to air pollution.

Anderson Township has local and state regulations in place governing outdoor burning, including bonfires. For more information contact Battalion Chief Rick Martin at 688-8400 or rmartin@andersontownship.org.