Burn WiseEducation Campaign

Leigh HerringtonU.S. EPA

Objective

To promote responsible wood-burning techniques and educate users on the connection between what they burn, how they burn, and the impacts on their health and the environment.

Promote safety, savings, and energy efficiency.

Do not want to encourage more wood burning, just responsible burning.

Message

Burn the right wood. Save money and time. Burn only dry, seasoned wood and maintain a hot fire.

The right way. Keep your home safer. Have a certified technician install and annually service your appliance.

In the right appliance. Make your home healthier. Upgrade to an efficient, EPA-approved wood-burning appliance.

What to Burn

• Burn dry or “seasoned” wood that is the right size for your appliance.

• Start with a small fire with dry kindling and a few pieces of wood.

• Keep space between the firewood as you gradually add more to the fire.

• Never burn garbage, treated lumber, or saltwater driftwood. They can damage your stove and cause serious health issues.

• Check before you burn to see if there is a local burn ban. If there is a burn ban, try to avoid using your fireplace or wood stove.

• A smoldering fire, “dirty” glass doors, or smoke from the chimney are all signs that the fire needs more air or your wood is too moist.

• Have your stove and chimney professionally inspected and serviced yearly.

• If available, refer to your owner’s manual for specific start-up guidelines.

Storage

In the fall, move wood to winter storage

Courtesy of the Makah Nation

Old “Conventional” Wood Stoves (Built before 1990)

Courtesy of March Runner

EPA – Certified Woodstoves

Newer wood stoves use less fuel for the same amount of heat than older models.

epa.gov/burnwise

Additional Materials

Widgets

Tribal Outreach Brochures (Draft)

Chimney Sweep Tear Pads

PSAs (15, 30 and 60-second)

Dirty Little Secrets Brochures/ Posters

Funding

• HUD: Block Grants for Tribes

• USDA: Rural Development Grant/Loans

• DOE: Weatherization

• HHS: Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program

• EPA: Pilot projects, Indoor Air, Community Grants

• Supplemental Environmental Projects

• Hearth Industry Discounts

• Federal and some state tax credits (10%, up to $500)

Potential Partners

• Health Departments

• Housing Departments

• Energy Departments (Weatherization grants)

• Schools

• Chimney Sweeps

• Hearth Retailers

• American Lung Association

• Firefighters

• Environmental Groups

• Local Businesses

• Transportation Departments

• Scrap Metal Recycling

Resources

Tribes that have conducted changeouts

• Makah Tribe, WAContact: Dana Sarff, mtcairqual@centurytel.net

• Nez Perce Tribe, IDContact: Johna Boulafentis, johnab@nezperce.org

• Oneida Nation, WIContact: Jeff Mears, JMEARS@oneidanation.org

• Puyallup Tribe, WAContact: Mary Basballe, Mary.Basballe@puyalluptribe.com

• Swinomish Tribe, WAContact: Tony Basabe, tbasabe@swinomish.nsn.us

Want more information?

Herrington.Leigh@epa.gov or 919-541-0882

www.epa.gov/burnwise