Many say nothing beats the heat from a wood fire, however residents are reminded to be vigilant about what is coming out of their chimney. 

Cootamundra Shire Council is backing the ‘Burn Bright’ campaign which is running through many Riverina councils. 

As part of the campaign local residents are encouraged to fill out a wood heater survey which will put them in the draw to win a chimney and heater check to be completed by Cootamundra’s The Fireplace. 

Those who fill out a survey will also go into another draw to win $100 worth of firewood so it is well worth taking a few minutes to provide your response. 

The survey is an initiative of the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils.

Cootamundra Shire Council trainee building surveyor Luke Izzard said while Cootamundra does not have a huge issue in terms of wood smoke pollution, we are a low-lying town and smoke can settle over homes. 

He said the important thing about wood fires is people use them correctly to ensure they are getting the most heat possible from their appliance and are not creating excessive pollution. 

“Anyone with a wood heater needs to be conscious of what is coming out of their chimney,” Luke said.

Find the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/woodsmoke_survey or call into the council office in Wallendoon Street to pick one up. 

Tips offered under the Burn Bright campaign 

* Open the air controls fully and leave them open for 30 minutes after lighting the fire to allow good air flow into the heater. 

* Get the fire hot as quickly as possible by using dry kindling and plenty of paper or firelighters as fire starters. 

* Open the air controls fully for a few minutes before adding fuel and after reloading then wait until the fire is burning fiercely before turning the air controls down. 

* Clean your flue or chimney every year to remove creosote and soot build-up. Creosote is the sticky black residue that builds up in a chimney restricting air flow and making a fire harder to start.