News

Working on Drafting Regulations for the Use and Oversight of Dry Firewood

Sponsors

With the onset of colder temperatures, it is already possible to see some homes in Metropolitan Concepción with their wood-burning stoves lit. Authorities involved in the matter have anticipated this situation, initiating the planning and execution of various aspects related to the oversight of firewood sales and its use.

The Regional Director of Biobío for the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), Esteban Krause, stated, "We have been meeting with several stakeholders, including the Health Authority, the Regional Minister of Health, the Regional Minister of the Environment, and the Regional Minister of Energy, to discuss and establish some strategies regarding firewood."

"Considering we are in a different scenario than a few years ago, work is underway on regulations, especially since firewood has been recognized as a biofuel and now plays an important role," explained the regional director.

In addition to moisture levels and the maintenance of wood-burning stoves, which ensure efficiency, Krause specified that the corporation is particularly concerned with ensuring "the wood used as firewood comes from permitted forest or tree cuttings and, where required, from Conaf-approved management plans. This wood must be legal and not the product of theft."

Conaf's oversight focuses on two areas: wood transportation and points of sale. "We know some vendors have made significant efforts to comply with regulations, obtaining the necessary permits to operate such businesses, including municipal permits and tax requirements, while also verifying the origin of the wood," he emphasized.

For the Conaf director, a key oversight point is 'mobile firewood vendors.' "We encourage them to formalize their economic activity, which can be profitable. We believe that as they formalize, it will likely improve the oversight of this product," he said.

Additionally, there is the Sello Calidad de Leña (Firewood Quality Seal) website, where certified and compliant suppliers can be found under the 'Records' section. "We are also exploring ways to promote these compliant suppliers. Once the firewood-as-fuel regulations are enacted, requirements will likely become stricter, which is part of what we are anticipating," detailed Esteban Krause.

"We are encouraging municipalities to join these oversight processes because, ultimately, there is an issue with unregulated street vending—vendors who lack even the basic municipal permit," noted the Conaf director.

Meanwhile, the Health Authority explained that oversight begins during critical pollution episodes. "Since no communes have yet forecasted such episodes (as of 04/01/2025), inspections of residential sources have not been necessary," clarified the Biobío Regional Minister of Health.

Regional Minister of the Environment

Meanwhile, the Regional Minister of the Environment for Biobío, Pablo Pinto, commented, "Specifically regarding critical episode management, our role is to forecast air quality, where we observe that poor air quality is largely due to the use of wet firewood and improper heater use."

Oversized or poorly maintained heaters, combined with wet firewood, lead to concentrated particulate matter and visible smoke, explained the Environment Minister. "This is what we monitor during critical episode management periods when there are alerts or pre-emergencies, particularly in Metropolitan Concepción and Los Ángeles, which are subject to the decontamination plan," he said.

The Minister urged the public to buy from formal markets where certified producers can guarantee firewood with less than 25% moisture. "Buying wet firewood means higher costs because it lacks the caloric power of dry firewood. What seems cheaper initially ends up being more expensive due to its lower efficiency," he pointed out.

Alternative Heating Methods

"We have implemented a heater replacement program to encourage switching to other biofuels like pellets or using air conditioning," said Pablo Pinto regarding pollution from firewood, especially wet firewood.

However, the Environment Ministry acknowledges that firewood use is driven by economic and cultural factors. "In more rural communes like Curanilahue, which is also developing a decontamination plan, there is a cultural attachment to firewood. We promote its proper use alongside proper heater maintenance," he said.

Source:Diario Concepción