Smoke from wood heaters and backyard burning can affect neighbours, reduce air quality and impact people with respiratory conditions.
Whether you’re heating your home or planning a backyard burn, taking simple steps to minimise smoke can help avoid complaints and keep your neighbourhood comfortable for everyone.
Wood Heater Smoke
Wood heaters work best when they are burning hot and clean.
Using dry, seasoned firewood and maintaining your heater properly will reduce smoke, improve heating efficiency and lower running costs.
How to reduce smoke from your wood heater
- Burn only dry, seasoned firewood.
- Store firewood under cover so it stays dry.
- Avoid burning treated, painted or contaminated timber.
- Keep the fire burning brightly rather than letting it smoulder.
- Leave air vents open enough to maintain visible flames.
- Burn the heater on a higher setting for around 20 minutes when lighting the fire and after adding wood.
- Regularly clean and maintain your heater and flue.
It’s normal to see some smoke when lighting a fire or adding wood. Once the heater is up to temperature, smoke should reduce significantly. For more information on effective wood heater usage and on a review of existing regulations visit the EPA website.
Backyard Burning
Before lighting a backyard fire, consider whether there are other options available, such as composting, green waste collection or taking material to a waste facility. If you do undertake a backyard burn, think about how smoke may affect nearby properties.
Before you light a fire
Consider:
- Wind direction and where smoke will travel.
- Weather conditions.
- How much material you’re burning.
- How long the fire is likely to burn.
- Nearby homes and outdoor living areas.
- Whether smoke may affect people with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
- Letting your neighbours know beforehand.
What can I burn? Only vegetation and garden waste should be burned.
What can’t I burn?
Never burn:
- Household rubbish
- Plastics
- Tyres
- Rubber products
- Treated, painted or stained timber
- Chemical containers
- Oils or fuels
- Polystyrene
- Textiles or clothing
These materials can release harmful pollutants and create significant smoke and odours.
Always check whether fire restrictions, permits or Total Fire Bans apply before lighting a fire.
Smoke FAQs
My neighbour’s smoke is affecting me
If smoke from a neighbouring property is affecting your enjoyment of your home, we encourage you to speak with your neighbour first. Many people are unaware that smoke from their wood heater or backyard burn is impacting others. A friendly conversation can often resolve the issue quickly.
If the issue continues, you can contact us for advice or lodge a request.
When contacting us, it helps to provide:
- The address where the smoke is coming from.
- When the smoke occurs.
- How often it happens.
- Any photos or notes you have kept about the issue.
How we assess smoke complaints
When we receive a complaint, we’ll assess the circumstances and determine whether further investigation is required.
We’ll consider things such as:
- How often the smoke occurs.
- How long it lasts.
- The amount of smoke being produced.
- The impact on neighbouring properties.
- Whether reasonable steps have been taken to minimise smoke.
Not all smoke will be considered a nuisance. For example, some smoke when lighting a wood heater or undertaking a one-off backyard burn may be expected.
See Report a Nuisance page.
Our investigations are guided by:
- Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations 2019
- Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994
Fire safety and property damage
If you have concerns about:
- Fire permits
- Fire restrictions
- Total Fire Bans
- Fire safety risks
- An active fire
Please contact Tasmania Fire Service.
If you believe smoke, ash or fire has caused damage to your property, this is generally a matter between the parties involved. You may wish to discuss the issue directly with the other person or seek independent advice.