Why it matters
Wood heater smoke is a big part of Perth's winter haze. Nationally, it's linked to 558 to 1,555 deaths a year. It gets into neighbouring homes easily, especially on cold, still nights.
1. Talk to your neighbour
Many people don't know their heater smokes. It helps to share what makes the difference:
- Burn only dry, seasoned wood.
- Don't damp the fire right down overnight. A smouldering fire makes the most smoke.
- A well-run heater shows little smoke from the chimney once it's going.
2. Keep a record
- Dates, times and how long the smoke lasted.
- What it affected: sleep, washing, asthma.
- Photos of the chimney.
3. Contact your council
In WA, councils handle wood smoke complaints through their environmental health officers, under state health laws and their own local laws. They'll usually visit, talk to the neighbour and give advice first. Search your council's website for “wood smoke” or “environmental health”.
Protect your home meanwhile
- Close windows and doors in the evening, when heaters are lit.
- Run a purifier in the bedroom overnight. Best for bedrooms.
- Seal gaps under doors on the smoky side of the house.
If you have a wood heater
- Dry wood, a hot fire, and the flue cleaned every year.
- Check the chimney after lighting. Visible smoke means it's not burning well.
Sources
- City of Wanneroo: Wood smoke information.
- City of Vincent: BurnWise wood heaters factsheet.
- Mortality burden of wood heater smoke in Australia (2024). Science of the Total Environment.