HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/22/2018 - Outdoor Recreational Wood Burning - Air Quality Advisory Board
Environmental Services
222 Laporte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6600
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 22, 2018
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Lucinda Smith, Interim Chief Sustainability Officer
Lindsay Ex, Interim Environmental Services Director
FROM: Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Program Manager
RE: READ BEFORE: Item #1 – Outdoor Recreational Wood Burning
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a summary of the feedback from the Air Quality
Advisory Board (AQAB) and the Natural Resources Advisory Board (NRAB) in advance of the October
23, 2018 Council Work Session regarding outdoor recreational wood burning.
Bottom Line
AQAB and NRAB indicated they support development of a regulatory option to address recreational
wood fires that negatively impact neighbors. AQAB added a request for more health impacts data, and
NRAB stated that any new regulatory option should come with adequate education, outreach and
enforcement.
Background
In 2018, staff facilitated community and stakeholder engagement related to the use of recreational
wood fires in residential neighborhoods. Staff is seeking direction regarding potential next steps to
develop a policy recommendation for Council consideration. Options proposed include:
Option #1: No new regulations, enhanced education and outreach
Option #2: Regulatory option to address only fires that negatively impact neighbors
Option #3: Regulatory option to prohibit emissions of wood smoke from recreational fires in
residential areas
These options were discussed by AQAB on October 15 and NRAB on October 17; responses
unanimously supported by each Board are included below.
AQAB recommends to City Council that outdoor wood burning is a growing concern warranting
consideration. The main concerns are the health issues, which at this time we have not seen
data on the incidence of health impact data within the City of Fort Collins, so AQAB
recommends gathering additional health outcome data prior to narrowing recommendations.
Based on the qualitative information we have, something along the lines of Option #2 or #3 may
be appropriate. The current policies are not adequate to address the needs of sensitive or
affected populations.
NRAB indicated they could support pursuing a recommendation along the lines of Option #2
(with some support for #3) if it came with adequate education and outreach, and resources to
effectively enforce. Option #1 was not supported. They also suggested that device standards
rather than prohibitions be considered to limit smoke emissions (such as a smokeless wood
burning fire pit).
CC: Arsineh Hecobian, AQAB Chair
Nancy DuTeau, NRAB Chair
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