Wood Stoves & Fireplaces

Key facts about Wood Burning:

• Wood burning devices include free-standing wood stoves, fireplace inserts, manufactured fireplaces, wood furnaces, pellet stoves.
• Wood stoves, fireplaces and inserts emit tiny, microscopic particles into the air.
• When inhaled, these fine particles travel deep in the lungs, causing damage to sensitive lung tissue.
• Burning wood produces carbon monoxide and other toxins that can harm our health.
• During a 6-month heating season, smoke from wood burning devices contributes over 2,000 tons of fine particles to Spokane's air. That's more than industry emits all year long.

If you heat with wood, you need to know the requirements:

• Emissions limits in Washington - Wood burning devices sold and installed in Washington must meet Washington's emissions standards, which are 4.5 grams/hour for non-catalytic and 2.5 grams/hour for catalytic.  For more information. including a link to an excel document that lists wood stoves/inserts that meet Washington's emissions limits, click here. 
  
  
• Burning may not occur during burn bans. Always check conditions before starting your wood burning device.
  Current conditions, click here.  
  Information about burn bans in the Smoke Control Zone, click here.  
  Frequently-asked questions about wood burning bans, click here.
  
  
• Chimney smoke must be within legal limits. After a 20-minute start up period, go outside and check the chimney smoke. You should see heat waves and barely any visible smoke. If you see smoke, give your fire more air and make sure your wood is very dry. Visible smoke emitted from chimneys must be within state opacity limits.  Learn More... 
  
  
• Only dry, seasoned wood, or manufactured logs and pellets may be burned. Any other material is illegal to burn. Wood should be cut, split, stacked and covered 6-12 months to properly dry (season).  Click here for a great website with information on preparing your firewood, including a wood shed design.

• To view a new, 4-minute video on "How to operate your wood stove more efficiently" click here.
  

Outdoor Wood-Fired Boilers

Know the facts before making an investment in outdoor wood-fired boilers. The Washington State Department of Ecology has a web page that provides detailed information about outdoor wood-fired boilers, click here.